Money SA economy
The JSE ended in the black on Wednesday tracking positive sentiment filtering through global markets.
World markets were lifted by the US Federal Reserve's decision to leave rates unchanged and its liberal monetary stance, as it reaffirmed its pledge to keep rates low.
At its close, the JSE all share index had added 0.99%, with resources up 1.08%, gold miners 0.50% firmer and platinum miners 1.43% stronger.
Banks were 2% higher, financials gained 1.25% and industrials were 0.75% richer.
Gold was quoted at $1,122.93/oz from $1,125.34/oz at the JSE's last close. Platinum was at $1,628/oz from $1,626/oz at the JSE's last close.
A local trader said: "The local bourse has reacted positively to global market sentiment following Bernanke's decision to leave rates unchanged.
"We also saw a spill over from markets in the East, while risk appetite is still fixed to emerging markets.
"A very strong (local) currency has also boosted local stocks, supporting banks," he said.
Dow Jones Newswires reported US stocks opened higher on Wednesday after wholesale goods prices in February posted their biggest drop in seven months, further reducing the threat of inflation.
Meanwhile, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said Wednesday China's currency remains undervalued.
"The opinion of the IMF from this point of view is still that the renmimbi is very much undervalued," he said at a conference at the European Parliament.
On the JSE, Anglo American firmed R4.94 or 1.64% to R305.60 and BHP Billiton added 293 cents or 1.19% to R248.95. However Sasol was unchanged at R284.
