A major hedge fund is shorting shares in the unsecured lender in expectation of further declines.

The cement giant expects to producing 14-million tonnes by 2017 on the back of expansion across the continent.

Woolworths has boosted sales despite a other retailers such as Shoprite and Truworths seeing a slow-down.

South African retail stocks have risen for a second month, on speculation that the US Federal Reserve will maintain stimulus.

An increasing number of medical aid claims and higher costs saw the company’s full-year profits fall by 6%.