STRONG commodity counters and a firm opening on Wall Street saw the JSE end 494 points higher yesterday in what an equities trader said was offshore buying pushing the local bourse higher.
At 5pm, the JSE all share index was 1,84% higher, with resources adding 2,64%, gold producers firming 2,59% and platinum miners up 3,47%.
Banks gained 1,29%, financials collected 1,09% and industrials moved 1,31% higher.
“We ended firmly higher today, we had a very, very good day,” the trader said. “The US opened positively and that pushed our market higher. It’s more on offshore buying, especially in the resource sector.
“The weak dollar is supporting the commodity prices. Offshore investors are playing into our market and that is pushing the bourse firmer,” he said.
In Johannesburg, American (AGL) gained R9,25, or 2,93%, to R324,75 and (BIL) moved R5,48, or 2,41% higher, to R233.
Petrochemicals group (SOL) was up R6,19, or 2,12%, to R298,19. Paper group (SAP) rose 70c, or 2,19%, to R32,70. Iron Ore (KIO) put on R4,87, or 1,9%, to R261,50.
(ANG) picked up R11,75, or 3,57%, to R340,75, (GFI) added R1,60, or 1,46%, to R111 and Harmony (HAR) gathered R1,70, or 2,15% to R80,70.
Platinum miner (AMS) jumped R31,13, or 4,4%, to R174,50, Impala Platinum (IMP) was R5,03, or 2,97%, stronger at R174,50 and (LON) swelled R10,75, or 5,11%, to R221.
Among industrials on the JSE, (SAB) added R4,50, or 2,09%, to R220, (BAW) was up 86c, or 1,75%, to R49,90 and (IPL) rose R1,35, or 1,68%, to R81,90.
Banker (SBK) was up R1,50, or 1,57%, to R96,95 and (ASA) rose R1,95, or 1,57%, to R126.
(ABL) gained 81c, or 2,76%, to R30,16.
Sugar group (ILV) put on 50c, or 1,61%, to R31,50 and Hulett (TON) was R1,71, or 1,81%, higher at R96,20.
Media group (CAT) declined 40c, or 2,54%, to R15,35, while (NPN) picked up R12,75, or 4,56%, to R292,25 and (AVU) gained 24c, or 1,5%, to R16,25.
Retailer (WHL) collected 44c, or 2,59%, to R17,44, Lewis (LEW) picked up R2,64, or 5,29%, to R52,50, (JDG) rose R2,04, or 4,67%, to R45,70 and Clicks (CLS) gained R1,26, or 5,01%, to R26,42. Telecommunications group (MTN) gave up 37c to R119,40 and (TKG) weakened 45c, or 1,14%, to R39,15, but (VOD) added R1,20, or 2,09%, to R58,50.
(NTC) collected 25 cents, or 2.08%, to 12.25 rand. It earlier reported headline earnings per share of 78.2 cents for the year ended September 2009, up 27.2% from the previous year's 61.5 cents.
Diluted HEPS rose to 77.5 cents from 60.5 cents before.
The group delivered strong results in the year under review reflecting continued healthcare demand and the defensive nature of healthcare despite the global economic downturn.
Group revenue rose 6.9% to 23.232 billion rand, supported by higher demand for private healthcare services in South Africa. The UK showed solid growth and benefited from the inclusion of newly acquired hospitals and the inclusion of Nuffield hospitals for the full 12 months.
The group declared a final capital reduction of 22 cents, making a total capital reduction for the year of 38.0 cents compared with 32.0 cents a year ago.
up amid weather concerns
South African near-dated futures ended firmly higher yesterday boosted by strong commodity counters amid continued risk appetite.
A positive open on Wall Street also gave support, a derivatives trader said.
The near-dated Alsi contract ended a firm 587 points or 2,41% higher, at 24960.
A total of 30547 contracts changed hands yesterday, from 25871 on Friday. “We had a very strong day on the commodities,” the trader said.
South African whiter maize futures ended higher yesterday amid some weather concerns, a local trader said. The December maize contract was up R20 to R1570, the March contract added R20 to R1612 and the May contract put on R24 to R1580.
The December wheat contract eased R9 to R2198, the March contract weakened R2 to R2238 and the May contract declined R1 to R2282.
“We ended down mainly due to weather concerns. The central and western parts of the Free State have had no rain and it seems the chances of rain are diminishing quickly,” the trader said. “We are trading a weather market.” I-Net Bridge