JSE is still in the red

The JSE was lower in noon trade on Friday as investors cashed in on this week's good run.

At 12pm the JSE all share index was off 0.49%, with resources 0.79% softer, gold miners off 0.83% and platinum miners 0.74% weaker. Banks were 0.17% lower, financials dipped 0.12%, while the industrial index edged down 0.44%.

Gold was quoted at $1,156.43 a troy ounce from $1,159.91/oz at the JSE's last close. Platinum was at $1,721/oz from $1,717/oz at the JSE's last close.

After opening softer on Friday, the JSE continued to trade lower on profit taking.

"We have had a good run. After the week we have had, its not surprising to see some profit taking," the trader said.

She added that the US markets were also contributing to the weaker tone, with earnings out of the US last night after the local market close disappointing investors.

Asian markets were also weaker while European markets were "flattish", she said.

Dow Jones Newswires reported European stocks were lower Friday, taking their cue from a downbeat Asian session, as sentiment regarding US earnings soured after Google and AMD results failed to impress investors.

In Asia, stock markets ended lower Friday, with technology stocks around the region dragged by after-hours losses in Google's and Advanced Micro Devices' shares.

On the JSE, Anglo American was 44 cents lower at R338.27, while BHP Billiton dropped R2.75 to R255.25. Sasol was off R5.80 to R303.20.