The JSE was firmer on Thursday morning, while its global peers were mixed as markets digested minutes from the US Federal Reserve’s latest meeting.
The minutes from the Fed’s open market committee (FOMC) meeting released on Wednesday evening showed that the central bank was ready to accelerate the timetable for slowing asset purchases and raising the interest rates if inflation remains high.
Meanwhile, rising Covid-19 cases in Europe and some parts of the world continued to worry investors. Germany is now considering a full lockdown to help tame the new outbreak, while Austria implemented a full national lockdown this week.
US markets are closed on Thursday for Thanksgiving and will shut early on Friday in a shortened session.
At 9.40am, the JSE all share had gained 0.53% and the top 40 0.53%. Retailers added 1.45%, industrials 0.72%, precious metals 0.64%, resources 0.37%, industrial metals 0.35%, financials 0.29% and banks 0.24%.
At the same time, the FTSE 100 had gained 0.11%.
Earlier in Asia, the Shanghai Composite lost 0.24%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng added 0.19% and Japan’s Nikkei 0.67%.
At 9.13am, the rand had strengthened 0.11% to R15.8601/$, while it had weakened 0.18% to R21.1686/£. It was unchanged at R17.7924/€. The euro was 0.14% firmer at $1.1215.
Gold gained 0.27% to $1,793.34/oz and platinum 1.64% to $996.11. Brent crude was 0.18% weaker at $82.06 a barrel.
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