No image available
/ 12 November 2007

BHP Billiton not giving up on Rio Tinto

The world’s biggest resources group, BHP Billiton, on Monday piled pressure on Rio Tinto to take another look at its proposed $153-billion all-scrip merger by pitching the benefits of the merger to analysts and shareholders. Marius Kloppers, CEO of BHP Billiton, said the combination would unlock value that is otherwise unavailable.

No image available
/ 12 November 2007

JSE slowly lifts on back of BHP announcement

The JSE started to show a slight turnaround on Monday as a renewed announcement by BHP Billiton added some buying interest among resource stocks. By midday, the JSE’s all-share index lifted 0,3% as resources collected 0,79%. However, the gold and platinum mining indices pulled back 0,91% and 1,4% respectively.

No image available
/ 9 November 2007

BHP’s Rio offer may spark $170-billion war

Rio Tinto’s rejection of a -billion all-share offer from BHP Billiton is likely to trigger rival bids from resource companies awash with cash from record commodity and stock prices. A marriage would create the world’s biggest mining force, capable of controlling the global flow of fleet loads of iron ore, copper and coal.

No image available
/ 9 November 2007

BHP continues to help JSE advance

The JSE continued to advance by noon on Friday as BHP Billiton’s announcement from Thursday flowed through the market. On Thursday, BHP Billiton admitted to having made a play for rival Rio Tinto, which put to rest days of market speculation over whether BHP Billiton was in fact courting Rio Tinto over a potential tie-up.

No image available
/ 8 November 2007

Rio Tinto rejects BHP Billiton bid

BHP Billiton has made a long-awaited bid approach to Rio Tinto in a move aimed at creating a $350-billion-plus mining giant, but Rio rejected the all-share proposal as too low. Rio shares leapt as much as 30% in London to a record high on Thursday after it said BHP had proposed offering three of its shares for every one Rio share.

No image available
/ 7 November 2007

JSE slightly higher on miners

The JSE was a touch higher at midday on Wednesday, lifted by miners on soaring metal prices, but weaker overseas markets and the stronger rand dampened the overall mood. At noon, the all-share index was up just 0,12% higher, thanks to a 2,31% and 1,70% gains by the gold and platinum mining indices.

No image available
/ 5 November 2007

JSE stays lower on world markets

The JSE remained weak at midday on Monday, in line with overseas markets as the troubled US subprime housing market continues to unsettle investors worldwide. At noon, the JSE’s all-share index was off 0,96%, resources fell 1.70%, the platinum mining index weakened 1,74%, but the gold mining index added 0,98% as the gold price stayed above $800/oz.

No image available
/ 2 November 2007

JSE down on world markets

The JSE recouped some of its earlier losses, but remained lower at midday on Friday on hopes that United States jobs data due out later in the day would support a case for another rate cut in the US. The local bourse was down more than 340 points in early trade following similar drops overseas stemming from renewed US subprime housing-market concerns.

No image available
/ 1 November 2007

JSE turns around on profit-taking

After being up about 280 points from its previous close at one stage, the JSE had turned around by midday on Thursday in what traders described as "solid profit-taking." By noon, the all-share index was off 0,31%, led by a 0,57% fall in resources, a 0,98% decline in the gold-mining index and a 1,58% easing in the platinum-mining index.

No image available
/ 31 October 2007

JSE lower, awaits US rate decision

The JSE was lower at noon on Wednesday on pockets of profit taking amid caution ahead of the United States interest rate decision later in the day. At noon, the all-share index was off 0,49%. Resources fell 0,96%, the platinum mining index gave up 0,11% but the gold mining index was up 1,70%.

No image available
/ 30 October 2007

JSE a tad higher ahead of Fed verdict

The JSE rose modestly at noon on Tuesday as investors became more optimistic that the United States Federal Reserve would cut interest rates, which would bolster Wall Street. Investors cheered the news that Tokyo Sexwale’s Mevelaphanda group plans to buy up to 30% of Johncom’s to-be-formed Opco.

No image available
/ 29 October 2007

JSE higher on miners and resources

As gold and platinum prices climbed on a weaker dollar, the JSE’s gold mining index and resources continued to lift the all-share index on Monday. By noon, the JSE’s all-share index was up 1,25% as the gold mining index progressed 2,1%. Resources rose 1,93% and the platinum mining index picked up 1,86%.

No image available
/ 26 October 2007

JSE extends gains as banks climb

Solid gains in bank stocks pushed the JSE further into the black at midday on Friday, while platinum stocks added some extra light. At noon on the JSE, the all-share index was 0,62% higher as banks collected 2,01% and financials added 1,08%. The platinum mining index added 1,24% and resources edged up 0,29%.

No image available
/ 25 October 2007

Banks continue to buoy JSE

The JSE remained firm at midday on Thursday as activity in the banking sector continued to dominate the market. At noon, the all-share index was up 0,97%, led by a 3,34% climb in the platinum mining index. The gold mining index gained 1,34% and resources rose 0,69%.

No image available
/ 24 October 2007

JSE down, banks dip on CPI data

The JSE remained in negative territory at midday on Wednesday, as banks took a dip on the release of discouraging CPI data and resources were lower on a firmer rand. At 11.59am, the all-share index was 0,25% lower, as resources dipped 0,35%. However, the gold and platinum mining indices advanced 0,28% and 0,35% respectively.

No image available
/ 24 October 2007

DRC’s faded copper town perks up in mining rush

Amid rusted hulks of abandoned plants and huge mine craters, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s former top copper town Kolwezi is showing signs of a reawakening. The town in the south-eastern copperbelt went into virtual hibernation two decades ago after looting by former dictator Mobutu Sese Seko forced the closure of most of the region’s copper mines

No image available
/ 23 October 2007

Billiton may build $3bn aluminium smelter in DRC

Mining group BHP Billiton and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government would like to jointly build a -billion aluminium smelter using hydroelectric power, the firm said on Tuesday. BHP Billiton, the world’s largest diversified mining company, signed an agreement with the government of the DRC on Monday about the proposed project.

No image available
/ 23 October 2007

JSE stays firm after Wall Street rally

The JSE remained firm at noon on Tuesday, spurred by Wall Street’s overnight rebound and firmer European markets as risk aversion eased. Miners lifted the main index, buoyed by a recovery in commodities prices as metals investors chased after bargains following Monday’s sharp losses, while a slight weakness in the dollar added to the upbeat mood in the metals complex.

No image available
/ 22 October 2007

JSE stays sharply lower on world markets

The JSE retained its weak tone at noon on Monday, in line with overseas markets amid renewed concerns about the health of the United States economy. At 11.56am, the all-share index was off 1,51%. Resources fell 2,48%, while the gold-mining and platinum-mining indices gave up 1% and 3,47% respectively.

No image available
/ 19 October 2007

JSE slightly firmer on miners

The JSE rose modestly at midday on Friday, helped by miners amid soaring metal prices with investors unfazed by talks that Wall Street was poised to open lower. At noon, the all-share index was up 0,61%. Resources gained 1,09% and the gold-mining and platinum-mining indices were up 1,14% and 0,81% respectively.

No image available
/ 18 October 2007

Anglo and BHP help keep JSE firm

The JSE was clutching on to gains at midday on Thursday as heavyweights in the resources and industrial sector kept the bourse firm. BHP Billiton and Anglo American kept the resource index up, and SABMiller lifted the industrial index. By noon, the all-share index was 0,13% higher as industrials advanced 0,25%.

No image available
/ 17 October 2007

Mixed JSE stung by world markets

The JSE was over 200 points in the red by midday on Wednesday, as the United States consumer slowdown continued to weigh on Wall Street and the weakness spilled over onto global markets. However, some indices posted gains, even though the broader all-share index was down.

No image available
/ 16 October 2007

JSE down on global concerns

The JSE extended its losses by midday on Tuesday as a sell-off in banks on Wall Street’s credit concerns and higher oil prices added to negative sentiment. Banks and financial stocks have pulled back throughout the morning session, after Citigroup in the United States lost 3,4% overnight, which triggered a sell-off on Wall Street and re-sparked global credit concerns.

No image available
/ 10 October 2007

JSE retreats from high

The JSE remained firm at midday on Wednesday but was off its earlier all time high of 31 291,74. The initial spurt had been prompted by a record close on Wall Street overnight, but European markets are lower and the United States futures are also negative, which brought the JSE back from its record level reached earlier in the session.

No image available
/ 9 October 2007

JSE edges up as miners recover losses

The JSE had edged up slightly by midday on Tuesday as platinum- and gold-mining stocks started to recover earlier losses. By 12pm, the all-share index was 0,08% in the black as the platinum-mining index gained 1,31%, resources lifted 0,72% and the gold-mining index recovered 0,13%. However, banks and financials were off 0,88% and 0,60% respectively.

No image available
/ 8 October 2007

JSE remains on a firm footing

The JSE remained firm by midday on Monday but according to traders was drifting, lacking direction from world markets. By noon, the all-share index had edged up 0,16%, as industrials increased 0,84%. Banks advanced 0,67% and financials were 0,54% firmer.

No image available
/ 5 October 2007

JSE sideways on profit-taking

The JSE was slightly negative by midday on Friday, as profit-taking among platinum stocks led the bourse to give up some of its earlier gains. By noon on the JSE, the all-share index had given up 0,06%, as platinum stocks dipped 3,23%. Resources were 0,24% lower, but the gold-mining index advanced 1,67%.

No image available
/ 3 October 2007

Banks and financials lift JSE

The JSE was firm at midday on Wednesday, driven higher by sharply stronger banks and financial stocks. By noon, the all-share index had collected 0,49% as banks and financials advanced 3,07% and 2,30% respectively. The platinum mining index recovered 0,94% and resources edged up 0,12%.

No image available
/ 2 October 2007

JSE up sharply on stronger world markets

The JSE was up sharply by midday on Tuesday, adopting the strength in overseas markets that were driven higher by a powerful performance on Wall Street overnight. By 12.03pm on the JSE, the all-share index had collected 1,01%. Financials advanced 2,02% and banks collected 2,86%, while industrials added 1,06%.

No image available
/ 1 October 2007

JSE up, but gold stocks tumble

The JSE was up 191 points at midday on Monday, but off its record high it hit earlier as gold stocks tumbled on news that Anglo American was selling half of its stake in AngloGold. Anglo said in a statement that it expects the offering to represent a major step in the completion of its stated objectives for its stake in AngloGold Ashanti.