Money SA economy
The JSE closed in the black on Tuesday, boosted by firm commodity prices.
At 5pm, the JSE all share index was up 1.2%, with resources up 1.69%, gold miners up 3.51% and platinum miners 1.99% firmer. Banks were 1.32% stronger, financials were 1.03% better and the industrial index was up 0.76%.
Gold was quoted at $1,137.53 a troy ounce from $1,125.51/oz at the JSE's last close. Platinum was at $1,707/oz from $1,670/oz at the JSE's last close.
A local trader said: "We opened firm and ticked higher throughout the day. Having been on holiday, the local market lagged Europe, and the US.
"Commodity prices are strong, while we also benefited from Friday's jobless figures in the US with other US economic data pointing to a recovery.
"At the Dow's opening, local stocks jumped 100 points with plenty of interest from foreign investors who appear to be ignoring the weekend's news. They don't care about Julius Malema or Eugene Terre'Blanche.”
European stocks weakened following a four-day Easter break as traders reacted to reports that Greece wants to exclude participation by the International Monetary Fund in the financial-aid package put together by the European Union last month so that it isn't forced to adopt the onerous austerity measures that are likely to accompany any IMF funding.
On the JSE, Anglo American was 386 cents firmer or 1.18% at R331.29 and BHP Billiton was 286 cents higher at R258.51 . Sasol found R6.80 or 2.24% at R311.
