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/ 25 October 2007

Bank shares leap on Standard Bank news

South African bank shares leapt on Thursday after reports that China’s biggest bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, has agreed to buy a 20% stake in Standard Bank, in a deal reported to be worth ,5-billion. Trading in Standard Bank shares was halted ahead of the release of a statement by the bank on the outcome of negotiations.

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/ 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%.

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/ 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.

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/ 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.

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/ 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.

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/ 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.

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/ 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.

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/ 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%.

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/ 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%.

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/ 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.

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/ 27 September 2007

Foreign firms assess new Zimbabwe ownership Bill

Foreign-owned companies in Zimbabwe said on Thursday they were assessing the likely effects on their business of a new law forcing them to give local owners majority holdings. The Empowerment Bill, pushed through Parliament by the government on Wednesday, will give Zimbabweans a 51% stake in foreign firms, including the important mining and banking sectors.

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/ 27 September 2007

Business booms in Soweto

The construction cranes towering and the cacophony of concrete churning and trucks rumbling are the sights and sounds of a business boom in South Africa’s most famous township. Black South Africans are reaping the benefits of a growing economy, and at the heart of it all is Soweto, the huge township south-west of Johannesburg.

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/ 20 September 2007

JSE flat for futures close-out

The JSE was flat at midday on Thursday, as players sat on the sidelines awaiting the result of the futures close-out, which was due to start at midday. By 11.59am, the all-share index edged up 0,26%. The gold mining index climbed 2,19% and banks were 1,09% higher. Resources perked up 0,28% and the platinum mining index rose 0,68%.

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/ 13 September 2007

JSE drifts sideways, seen directionless

The JSE drifted sideways during the course of the morning on Thursday in directionless trade as it waited to see how Wall Street opened. At 11.59am, the all-share index added 0,18%, with resources up 0,59%, the platinum mining index flat (+0,03%) and the gold-mining index little changed (-0,04%).

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/ 10 September 2007

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/ 10 September 2007

Choose your forex carefully

Travellers’ cheques could be your cheapest option when going overseas, especially in the United States, but are not always the most convenient currency choice. Thanks to the National Credit Act, banks are now required to disclose the full fees charged on a transaction, which highlights the cost of credit card transactions.

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/ 10 September 2007

Miners continue to keep JSE positive

The JSE continued to hold on to its earlier gains by noon on Monday as miners gained speed after a rally in the gold and platinum price. Shortly before midday, the rand was bid at 7,19 to the United States dollar from 7,25 when the JSE closed on Friday, while gold was quoted at $703,75 a troy ounce from $703 at the JSE’s last close.

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/ 6 September 2007

JSE up as resources shine on Anglo, BHP

The JSE all-share index held onto its gains at midday on Tuesday, with the resource index shining brightly — underpinned by good buying interest in resource stocks Anglo American and BHP Billiton. By noon, the all-share index rose 0,50%. Resources advanced 1,25% and the gold mining index edged up 0,38%.

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/ 5 September 2007

JSE up and down in see-saw session

The JSE was in the red at midday on Wednesday after vacillating between positive and negative territory during early trade as investors took profits on stocks that have recovered from last month’s losses. The JSE’s all-share started in the red, but inched into positive territory within the first 15 minutes of trade, and by midday it had fallen back into the red.

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/ 4 September 2007

Local deals help lift JSE

The JSE was a bit firmer by midday on Tuesday as a number of local deals buoyed sentiment for buyers. The local bourse was also getting positive direction from the FTSE, which was down in early trade, but recovered during the morning. By midday on the JSE, the all-share index was up 0,30%.

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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.

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/ 28 August 2007

JSE moving sideways

After ending 1,5% higher on Monday, the JSE was back in the red on Tuesday morning following a decline in the Dow overnight. However, the local bourse was being cushioned somewhat by the softer rand and good interest in direct miners. By 12.11pm, the all-share index was off 0,15%.