The JSE was higher at midday on Friday as investors cheered the decision by the South African Reserve Bank to raise interest rates.At 12pm‚ the all share had risen 0.54% to 53‚477.80 points and the blue-chip top 40 index added 0.65%.Banks and financials gained 0.96% and 0.70% respectively. Platinums rose 1.50%. Gold miners were down 5.11% while resources were flat. Industrials climbed 0.67%.The Bank on Thursday increased the repo rate 25 basis points to 7%‚ despite a downward revision to its economic growth and inflation outlooks.Higher interest rates traditionally benefit banking stocks. As interest rates rise‚ banks have an opportunity to make more money on their investments. This makes bank stocks attractive to investors‚ who tend to value stocks based on the potential of the underlying companies to expand profits.However‚ the current weak economic conditions — in which interest rates have been increased — is likely to make it difficult for consumers to service their debt.Stock markets in Europe were slightly firmer following an action packed week.By noon (CAT)‚ the London FTSE 100 and the Paris CAC 40 had climbed 0.28% and the German DAX 30 by 0.11%.Among individual shares on the JSE‚ BHP Billiton was up 2.06% to R185.93. South32 had fallen 2.26% to R18.15. Kumba Iron Ore had rallied 3.38% to R90.56.Anheuser-Busch InBev rose 1.32% to R1‚832.50.Gold Fields plunged 10.65% to R58.12. Harmony tumbled 4.74% to R59.35.Standard Bank gained 1.52% to R126.90. Capitec was up 1.47% to R576.15.Santam jumped 6.14% to R228.19‚ while Clicks rose 4.25% to R94.65...