Money SA economy
The JSE was firmer in quiet noon trade, buoyed by a rise in global risk appetite amid further signs that the world economy is recovering.
By 12pm the JSE all share index was up 0.78%, with resources up 0.85%, gold miners up 1.36% and platinum miners 1.63% firmer. Banks were 1.74% stronger, financials were 1.03% better and the industrial index was up 0.57%.
Gold was quoted at $1,124.89 a troy ounce from 1,125.51/oz at the JSE's last close. Platinum was at $1,684.50/oz from $1,670/oz at the JSE's last close.
"We're pretty much following global markets today which are generally higher on positive sentiment amid further signs of a global economic recovery, which saw an uptick in resource and commodity prices over the weekend. We're also playing general catch-up with banks and financials and interest-rate sensitive stocks still doing well," a local equities trader said.
Dow Jones Newswires reported that European stocks were higher Tuesday, as the Easter break featured some broadly encouraging news on the progress of the US economic recovery, with Friday's employment release and Monday's non-manufacturing ISM both offering support for global equities.
Asian markets finished mostly higher Tuesday with Australia's benchmark stock index tapping an 18-month high as resource shares strengthened, but Japanese shares pulled back after recent market gains.
US stocks meanwhile are called to open slightly lower.
On the JSE, Anglo American was up 107 cents firmer at R328.50 and BHP Billiton was 102 cents higher at R256.67. Sasol found R5.36 or 1.76% at R309.56.
