The JSE was slightly higher in lacklustre trade at midday on Thursday‚ with little in the way of data due on the day or events that may affect risk to give the market direction.
Standard Bank head of research Walter de Wet said it would be a quiet end to the week‚ ahead of major risks in the next one.
"(We) head into a jam-packed first week of December‚ with not only the European Central Bank meeting but also the US nonfarm payrolls data on the agenda. And‚ of course‚ the week will end with both Standard & Poor’s and Fitch releasing their latest sovereign rating review of SA‚" Mr de Wet said.
At 12pm‚ the all share was up 0.21% to 52‚026.20 points. The blue-chip top 40 index added 0.29%.
Leading indices were mixed. Resources and platinums fell 1.39% and 1.31%‚ respectively. The gold index was up 0.51%. Banks were flat.
European stocks were higher amid growing hopes that the European Central Bank will announce additional stimulus measures at its meeting next week.
At noon (CAT)‚ the London FTSE 100 rose 0.48%‚ the Paris CAC 40 gained 0.73% and the German DAX 30 climbed 1.12%.
Among individual shares on the JSE‚ Glencore surged 5.23% to R20.34.
Harmony Gold rallied 5.09% to R9.09.
Lonmin tumbled 10.2% to 44c.
Old Mutual was up 1.64% to R45.29. Liberty lost 1.51% to R130.60.
Caxton rose 4.85% to R16.
Sovereign Foods climbed 6.08% to R7.85.
Transaction Capital gained 2.19% to R10.73.
Trading volumes will likely remain thin on the day as the US celebrates Thanksgiving.
- TMG Digital/BDlive
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