Money SA economy
The JSE slipped a fraction into the red on Friday amid jittery markets, as Greek's debt woes weighed on sentiment.
At 12pm the JSE all share index had declined 0.09%, with Gold miners 0.12% softer and platinum miners down 0.42%. Resources dropped 0.23%.
Banks gave up 0.27%, financials subsided 0.16%, but industrials were flat, up 0.08%.
Gold was quoted at US$1,096.65 a troy ounce from US$1,092.41/oz at the JSE's last close. Platinum was at $1,600.50/oz from $1,597.50/oz at the JSE's last close.
"Volumes are pretty low as markets are undecided over the next direction. Although in Asia the Nikkei ended higher, there is still concern over Greece, which continues to weigh on global sentiment," a local equities trader said.
Dow Jones Newswires reports that European stocks posted modest losses Friday, taking their cue from a late selloff on Wall Street, as scepticism about the proposed bailout plan for Greece and lingering fears about other vulnerable European countries weighed on sentiment.
Earlier, European leaders seemingly put aside their differences and agreed to provide a joint International Monetary Fund and euro-zone safety net for Greece, should the country require it.
US stocks are expected to open higher Friday, as the dollar gives up ground and the euro bounces back, while hopes mount of a more coordinated policy response from European politicians to deal with the problems in Greece, said David Morrison of GFT.
On the JSE, Anglo American was 144 cents lighter at R305 and BHP Billiton shed 11 cents to R249. Sasol picked up 34 cents to R288.35.
