JSE tracks weaker US futures

THE JSE ended in the red virtually across the board yesterday amid weaker international markets, tracking Dow futures lower in particular.

A local trader said that even at its current levels, the rand could not keep commodities in the black.

At 5pm, the JSE all share index weakened 0,56%, with resources losing 1,28%. Platinum miners eased 0,52% and gold producers gave up 2,1%. Banks were down 0,6% and financials declined 0,36%, but industrials collected 0,17%.

A local trader said: “We tracked international markets down this afternoon, with an eye on Dow futures in particular.

“Not even the rand at its current R7,50 level against the dollar can keep commodities in the black. In a nutshell, weakness is across the board.”

In Johannesburg, Anglo American (AGL) lost R7,31, or 2,25%, to R317,58 and BHP Billiton (BIL) declined R1,96 to R230,04. Petrochemicals group Sasol (SOL) was down 51c to R294,99.

Paper group Sappi (SAP) collected 75c, or 2,49%, to R30,85, but Mondi (MND) gave up R1,08, or 2,55%, to R41,27. ArcelorMittal (ACL) dropped R2,49, or 2,28%, to R106,51 and Kumba Iron Ore (KIO) fell R2,75, or 1,07%, to R254,87.

AngloGold Ashanti (ANG) shed R11,01, or 3,28%, to R324,99, Gold Fields (GFI) weakened 10c to R106,95 and Harmony (HAR) was off R2,23, or 2,76%, to R78,55.

Platinum miner Anglo Platinum (AMS) collected R2,88 to R705, but Impala Platinum (IMP) edged down R1,80, or 1,06%, to R168,70 and Lonmin (LON) shed R4,35, or 2,01%, to R211,66.

Aquarius (AQP) declined R1,94, or 4,5%, to R41,20.

Elsewhere on the JSE, brewer SABMiller (SAB) added R9,09, or 4,38%, to R216,75.

Imperial (IPL) subsided R1,66, or 1,99%, to R81,88, with Barloworld (BAW) down R1,90, or 3,53%, to R51,90.

Among banks, Absa (ASA) declined R1,84, or 1,44%, to R126. Investec (INP) eased 75c, or 1,33%, to R55,70.

Sugar group Illovo (ILV) inched down 33c, or 1,03%, to R31,67. Media group Naspers (NPN) shed R11,75, or 4%, to R282. Among retailers, Woolies (WHL) weakened 38c, or 2,17%, to R17,12. Construction group Aveng (AEG) was down 88c, or 2,15%, to R40,10 and WBHO (WBO) was R2,99, or 2,53%, lower at R115.

Among telecommunications groups, MTN Group (MTN) edged up 50c to R119,60, and Vodacom (VOD) added 40c to R58.

South African near-dated futures pulled 145 points southwards yesterday in line with weak global markets and lower commodity prices.

The near-dated Alsi contract ended down by 0,59% at 24520. A total of 29913 contracts changed hands yesterday , from 22956 on Wednesday. A local dealer said weaker Dow futures and lower commodity prices had filtered through strongly.

South African white maize futures ended lower yesterday moving in line with weaker prices on the Chicago Board of Trade, with local rain expectations also adding pressure.

The November maize contract lost R20 to R1525, the December contract gave up R21 to R1531 and the March contract was down R17 to R1573.

The November wheat contract was unchanged at R2190, the December contract weakened R6 to R2184 and the March contract was off R5 to R2233. “We ended down in line with Chicago prices, which were down last night,” a trader said.

“There was also good expectations of rain over the next two days, but now it’s looking like the rain is subsiding,” he said. “If there is no rain this weekend, then we may see the market move stronger next week,” the trader said. I-Net Bridge