Alison Maltz

The JSE ended weaker on Friday after a damp squib of a shortened trading session capped a bumper year that saw the all share index rocket 43%, reaching countless record highs in the process. Dealers said that lack of buying interest, weaker world markets and position squaring ahead of the long weekend all contributed to the bourse’s weakness on the day.

The JSE was awash with red just before noon on Wednesday in thin trade. Profit-taking following its rally to a record high on Tuesday and weakness in US markets overnight were among factors weighing on the local bourse. By 11.49am, the all share and all share industrial indices shed 1,24% and 1,09% respectively.

The JSE continued its advance into record territory on Thursday morning, albeit in quiet trade. Dealers said that positive sentiment towards equities and a higher gold price were boosting the local bourse. By 11.50am, the all-share index was up 0,26% at 17 944,19, having earlier touched a lifetime high of 17 974,551.

The JSE was firmer just before noon on Wednesday with stocks marked up on extremely light volumes. While still in the red, gold stocks were off their lows helped by a recovery in the bullion price. By 11.51am, the all-share and all-share industrial indices added 0,45% and 0,31% respectively.

Buying related to the afternoon’s futures close-out and firmer world markets boosted the JSE on Thursday, with the all-share index touching a record high. Gold stocks, which were unable to continue to ignore the lower bullion price, were the only real weak spot. The futures close-out began at noon.

The JSE was weaker in noon trade on Wednesday in trade that was dominated by softer commodity prices and futures-related activity ahead of Thursday’s close-out. Gold stocks bucked the trend, however, despite a lower bullion price. By 12.07pm, the all-share index shed 0,3%.

A pullback in precious-metals prices knocked the JSE on Tuesday, leaving the overall index in the red in late-morning trade. Banks bucked the weaker trend as some of the money from resources found its way into the sector. By 11.46am, the all-share index shed 0,7%.

The JSE was in the red just before noon on Thursday, dragged down by profit-taking and weaker world markets. While off their highs, gold stocks remained strong on the back of the bullion price which reached a 24-and-a-half year high of $519,01/oz in Asian trade.

Gold stocks shone on the JSE at midday on Wednesday, boosted by the gold price, which reached a fresh 24-and-a-half year high. With a slightly weaker rand and firmer world markets also helping the local bourse, gains were seen across the board.

The JSE was weaker just before midday on Monday, dragged down by a strong rand, weaker world markets and gold coming off its best levels. A technical problem with the futures market made for very light volumes on the bourse however. By 11.55am, the all share index lost 0,36%.

MTN Group was dominating trade on the JSE at noon on Thursday after its withdrawal of a cautionary announcement put paid to the speculation that the cellular network operator could be a takeover target, which had been driving its shares to record highs. This saw it lead the downside of a generally firmer market.

The JSE was flat in noon trade on Wednesday, with the positive effect of stronger world markets being offset by a stronger rand and lower precious metals prices. Volume-wise, it was a quiet morning’s trade, with just over R1,3-billion worth of shares changing hands.

The JSE was slightly weaker just before noon on Tuesday as a stronger rand and continued profit taking offset the positive effect of higher commodity prices. By 11.53am, the all share and all share industrial indices shed 0,14% and 0,17% respectively. Financials fell 0,43% and the banks index was 0,72% in the red.

The JSE was a mixed bag just before midday on Monday, with the overall index just slightly lower due to profit-taking and a stronger rand. Good demand for gold and telecoms stocks ensured that the JSE’s losses were limited, however. By 11.56am, the all-share index was down a marginal 0,07%.

The JSE raced to a record high on Friday morning when resources stocks were boosted by higher precious metals prices. Stronger world markets added to the positive picture. By 12.02pm, the all-share index was up 1,16% at 17 488,16, having earlier reached a record high of 17 540,08.

The JSE was looking robust in noon trade on Thursday, benefiting from a higher gold price, firmer world markets and solid corporate results. A stronger rand did little to dampen the bourse’s spirits. By 12.02pm, the all-share index advanced 0,96%. Resources rallied 1,92% and the gold-mining index jumped 2,39%.

The JSE was weaker just before midday on Wednesday, dragged down by a firmer rand and weaker world markets. Platinum stocks continued to shine, however, as the white metal raced to fresh quarter-century highs. By 11.55am, the all share and all share industrial indices shed 0,62% and 0,56% respectively. Financials fell 0,22% and the banks index was 0,2% softer.

After weakening initially on profit taking, the JSE recouped its losses on Tuesday morning to trade at a record high for the third straight day. Positive global sentiment, relative strength in commodities and weakness in the rand acted in concert to lift the local bourse, dealers said.

The JSE was firmer just before noon on Thursday, with higher precious-metals prices and strong performance by gold ADRs (American Depository Receipts) in New York overnight boosting resources stocks. Buying filtered through to other sectors and advancers outnumbered decliners.

After opening higher, the JSE surrendered its gains and had dipped into the red by noon on Wednesday, dragged down by weaker world markets and a slightly stronger rand. There was also little news to draw buyers into the market and volumes were light. By noon, the all-share index was down a marginal 0,04%.

The JSE was weaker at midday on Monday dragged down by resources giants Anglo American and BHP Billiton, the bourse’s two heaviest weighted stocks. Although the overall index was in the red, advancers outnumbered decliners on it by about three to two.

The JSE was weaker in noon trade on Friday as players took profits ahead of the weekend. The market roared to a record high on Thursday after news that United Kingdom-based Vodafone planned to up its stake in Vodacom to 50% by acquiring VenFin’s 15% stake triggered frenzied buying.

The JSE was roaring ahead in noon trade on Thursday after news that United Kingdom-based Vodafone plans to up its stake in local cellular network operator Vodacom to 50% from 35% sparked widespread buying. Trade was brisk — more than R2,8-billion-worth of shares had changed hands.

The JSE was in positive territory just before midday on Wednesday in brisk, order-driven trade. Firmer European markets and the rand coming off the morning’s best levels also provided support. By 11.52am, the all-share index added 0,38%. Industrials jumped 0,94%, financials firmed 0,45% and the banks index was 0,91% better.

The JSE was firmer at midday on Tuesday, bolstered by strong performances on United States and Asian markets. Positive performances by heavyweight resources stocks in London further helped the local bourse. At noon, the all-share and all-share industrial indices were up 0,3% and 0,15% respectively.

The JSE was in positive territory just after midday on Monday after Friday’s release of strong economic growth numbers in the United States boosted markets globally. With London opening an hour later as clocks were switched back from daylight saving time, volumes were fairly light however.

The JSE was weaker in noon trade on Friday following sharp losses on Wall Street overnight. A slight intraday firming of the rand also played a role, dealers said. By 11.54am, the all-share index slipped 0,68%. Resources retreated 1,63%, with the gold- and platinum-mining indices losing 1,31% and 1,18% respectively.

After its 1,82% slide on Wednesday, the JSE had recouped most of its losses by midday on Thursday, boosted by a rebound on United States markets overnight. By 12.04pm, the all share and all share industrial indices added 1,22% and 1,55% respectively. Financials firmed 1,39% and the banks index was up 1,51%.

The JSE was sharply weaker in noon trade on Wednesday, knocked by the double whammy of weaker world markets and lower metals prices. Losses were seen across the board and decliners outnumbered advancers on the all share index by around 10 to one.

After its sell-off last week, the JSE was rebounding just before midday on Monday, assisted by higher commodity prices. Volumes were relatively light, however, and a dealer cautioned that the bourse’s recovery might be short-lived. By 11.51am, the all-share index added 0,97%.

The JSE was a mixed bag in noon trade on Wednesday, with London-listed brewer SABMiller leading the downside as the market reacted to its trading statement issued before the opening. On the upside, resources benefited from higher commodity prices and a slightly weaker rand.

The JSE was stronger just before midday on Monday, with buyers returning to the market after a three-day sell-off. Gold stocks were a feature after the metal reached its highest level since January 1988. By 11.57am, the all-share index added 0,86%.