Money SA economy
South African stocks managed to drag themselves into the black just before the market closed on Thursday as they found new hope in the US stock markets' positive open.
At 5pm, the JSE all share index was up 0.22%, with resources 0.05% higher. Gold miners added 0.09% and platinum miners gained 1.59%. Industrials edged up 0.27% while banks firmed 0.76% and financials added 0.49%.
Gold was quoted at $1 160.45/oz from $1 155.24/oz at the JSE's last close. Platinum was at $1 726.50/oz from $1 723/oz at the JSE's last close.
A local trader said the South African market "was quite a bit better towards the close".
While there was some negative data out of the US on Thursday, she said the market turned around to open stronger. "That's also helped the market," she said.
Dow Jones Newswires reported that strong manufacturing reports helped boost manufacturing stocks, sending US stocks up slightly Thursday, even as a rise in weekly jobless claims damped some excitement over early first-quarter earnings.
On the JSE, Anglo American was R1.28 or 0.38% lower at R338.71 and BHP Billiton dipped 99c or 0.38% to close at R258. Sasol was, however, stronger having gained R1.00 or 0.32% to R309.
