The JSE ends firmer on metals, Dow

SOUTH African stocks ended 409 points higher yesterday boosted by a good performance in metals stocks as well as a positive open on Wall Street.

At 5pm, the JSE all share index had gained 1,53%, with resources up 2,77%, platinum producers strengthening 2,6% and gold miners firming 2,57%.

Banks and financials collected 0,77% and 0,83% respectively, and industrials were up 0,52%.

“The market is still on the run with the current trend. The dollar price of metals is quite strong again, especially gold reaching new highs,” an equities trader said. “The appetite for risk still seems to be quite high. It’s a bit mixed in some places however, with the likes of MTN and Telkom seeing some profit taking. It’s generally the metals, on the balance it’s a positive market.” he said.

“We are running on sentiment from international equity markets,” he said.

In Johannesburg, Anglo American (AGL) gained R11,75, or 3,75%, to R325,10 and BHP Billiton (BIL) advanced R5,75, or 2,58%, to R228,33.

Petrochemicals group Sasol (SOL) was up R4,25, or 1,47%, to R294,25. Paper group Sappi (SAP) put on 37c, or 1,29%, to R29,15. ArcelorMittal (ACL) rose R2,50, or 2,27%, to R112,50, Highveld Steel (HVL) was up R1, or 1,49%, to R68 and Kumba Iron Ore (KIO) added R6,11, or 2,44%, to R256,21.

AngloGold Ashanti (ANG) firmed R6,60, or 2,02%, to R333,60, Gold Fields (GFI) put on R3,35, or 3,17%, to R108,95 and Harmony (HAR) strengthened R2,77, or 3,58%, to R80,05. Platinum miner Anglo Platinum (AMS) jumped R14,89, or 2,22%, to R686,89, Impala Platinum (IMP) was R4,10, or 2,46%, higher at R171,10 and Lonmin (LON) was up R15,15, or 7,62%, to R213,85.

In diversified miners, African Minerals (ARI) added R5,24, or 3,2%, to R169 and Exxaro (EXX) firmed R3,14, or 3,45%, to R94,14.

Among industrials on the JSE, brewer SABMiller (SAB) was up R1,45 to R207,90 and Barloworld (BAW) advanced R1,65, or 3,32%, to R51,35.

Banking group Standard Bank (SBK) edged up 55c to R96,95 and Absa (ASA) put on R2,30, or 1,8%, to R130,30, but Nedbank (NED) weakened 85c to R120,50. Financial services group Old Mutual (OML) rose 37c, or 2,64%, to R14,38 and Sanlam (SLM) was up 43c, or 1,94%, to R22,60.

Media group Caxton (CAT) gained R1,89, or 13,89%, to R15,50, while Avusa (AVU) declined 40c, or 2,17%, to R18.

Retailer Woolies (WHL) collected 40c, or 2,34%, to R17,51, Pick n Pay (PIK) put on R1,45, or 3,67%, to R41 and Steinhoff (SHF) was up 21c, or 1,16%, to R18,35.

JD Group (JDG) rose R1,70, or 4,15%, to R42,70. Liberty International (LBT) added R1,28, or 2,08%, to R62,85.

Among telecommunications groups, MTN Group (MTN) lost R2,80, or 2,34%, to R117 and Telkom (TKG) eased 25c to R40,50.

South African futures tracked a firmer Wall Street and glowing resources into the black yesterday. The near-dated Alsi contracted ended up by 477 points, or 1,97%, at 24700.

A total of 32978 contracts changed hands yesterday, from 21362 on Friday.

Local white maize futures ended weaker yesterday with a trader citing the strong currency and the rain expectations as the main influencers.

The November maize contract lost R20 to R1540, the December contract gave up R21 at R1542 and the March contract declined R20 at R1581.

The November wheat contract was up R15 at R2165, the December contract rose R27 to R2180 and the March contract put on R34 to R2235. “We ended down on the market today. There are expectations of rain during the second part of this week, and the rand also strengthened,” the trader said. I-Net Bridge