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/ 13 March 2008

Global equities weigh on JSE

World markets continued to weigh on the JSE on Thursday — pushing the bourse down 0,93% by midday. At noon, the JSE’s bank index fell 1,87%, financials gave up 1,61% and industrials were 1,4% lower. The platinum mining index declined 1,41%, resources shed 0,38% but the gold mining index advanced 1,69%.

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/ 23 January 2008

A bank in every African pocket?

With most formal banks inaccessible to many Africans, the service of cellphone banking is expanding to the poor on the continent. Mary Kimani examines how financial institutions are extending their services through the ubiquitous usage of cellphones in rural areas.

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/ 29 November 2007

JSE still positive, but lower on PPI

After being sharply firmer earlier in Thursday, weaker local producer price index (PPI) data forced the JSE to pull back at midday, even though world markets were firm. The JSE had been up as much as 533 points during the day, but by midday, it was only 337 points in the black.

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/ 28 November 2007

Telkom shares fall, MTN rallies as talks cease

South African fixed-line operator Telkom’s shares plummeted more than 10% in early trade on Tuesday on news that the negotiations it was in with cellphone operator MTN had terminated. In September, Telkom released a cautionary announcement advising shareholders that it had entered into discussions with Vodafone and MTN.

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/ 27 November 2007

Emerging equity markets increasingly attractive

Equity markets in the emerging world have weathered the subprime credit crunch in developed markets more easily than any previous market turmoil, and are expected to remain a sought-after investment destination — if not a safe haven — for many years to come, according to the head of equity research at Old Mutual Investment Group South Africa.

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/ 19 November 2007

Telkom headline earnings fall 15,1%

South African fixed-line operator Telkom said on Monday first-half headline earnings per share fell 15,1% to 742,3 cents. Telkom said the reduction in earnings was due to a 4,8% decrease in operating profit to R7,313-billion rand, caused by a 13,8% increase in operating expenses and a 122,4% rise in finance charges.

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/ 27 October 2007

Free State turns orange ahead of Currie Cup final

The Free State may have lost the ”Orange” part of its name in the new South Africa, but Bloemfontein was a sea of orange as the city prepared for the Currie Cup final between the Cheetahs and the Lions on Saturday afternoon. Almost every vehicle in the city streets sported an orange Cheetahs flag, and orange was the colour to wear.

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/ 30 August 2007

JSE stays firm, platinums strong

The JSE remained firm at midday on Thursday, with platinum miners a feature following strong results from Impala Platinum earlier in the day. A 2% gain on Wall Street overnight and generally firm global bourses were also helping. By noon, the all-share index was 0,82% higher. Resources were 0,75% better and the gold-mining index advanced 0,90%.

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/ 29 August 2007

JSE off lows, eyes Wall Street

The JSE was off its earlier lows by midday on Wednesday as investors looked for value after the recent sharp sell-off. After starting weaker on the back of a sharp fall on Wall Street overnight, the JSE was looking a little better late morning. The Dow shed 2% on Tuesday and Tokyo shares ended down 1,7%, but London shares have turned around.