Money SA economy
The JSE ended firmly in the black on Friday amid positive global sentiment and firm commodity prices.
At 5pm, the JSE all share index was up 1.13%, with resources 1.49% firmer and platinum miners gaining 1.24%. Gold miners found 1.16%.
Banks were 1.55% firmer, financials added 1.04% and the industrial index picked up 0.78%. Gold was quoted at $1,159.22/oz from $1,150.39/oz at the JSE's last close. Platinum was at $1,722.50/oz from $1,710/oz at the JSE's last close.
A local trader said: "Global sentiment is positive, in the US data pushed the Dow firmer, and commodity prices are strong, contributing to a firm outlook on the local bourse."
Dow Jones Newswires reported US stocks climbed Friday as a bigger-than-expected jump in US wholesalers' inventories boosted sentiment.
Friday's stock gains came as data from the Commerce Department showed US wholesalers' inventories surged far above expectations to 0.6% in February, but were outpaced by sales. Sales of US wholesalers were up 0.8% to a seasonally adjusted $338.66 billion.
It was the eleventh straight monthly increase in sales. Wall Street analysts had expected inventories to rise by 0.3% in February.
