The JSE pushed higher in broad-based gains on Friday morning, lifted by optimism about a viable Covid-19 vaccine in coming months.
Drugmaker Pfizer may submit its vaccine for regulatory review in October — news that helped to lift sentiment, which has been buffeted by concern about the effect of the pandemic on economic activity.
On Thursday, US weekly jobless claims rose above the one-million mark again, reflecting the harsh effect of the pandemic on the US economy and pushing US Treasury yields lower and the greenback weaker, said TreasuryOne senior currency dealer Andre Botha in a note.
In morning trade on Friday, the JSE was up 1.2% to 56,294.77 points, while the top 40 had risen 1.15%.
Property was up 2.02% and banks 1.95%.
The rand was 0.15% weaker at R17.28/$, but had firmed 0.25% to R20.42/€ while remaining flat at R22.81/£.
Locally, SA was on the receiving end of some good news, with Eskom suspending load-shedding on Friday morning, saying some generating units had come back online.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.