Shares come off earlier lows

The JSE tumbled along with global markets on Wednesday after Germany's shock announcement of a ban on naked short-selling of certain financial instruments.

However, the local bourse managed to end of the session's lows, having traded at over two percent weaker at one stage. The JSE all share index finished 1.45% lower, with resources down 2.36% weaker, platinum miners off 2.90% and gold miners 1.36% weaker. Banks were 1.03% weaker, financials were down 1.05 and industrials were off 0.75%.

Gold was quoted at $1,197.53/oz from US1,247.65/oz at the JSE's last close. Platinum was at $1,607/oz from $1,685.50/oz at the JSE's last close.

Dow Jones Newswires reports that US stocks tumbled Wednesday as the market continued to be plagued by worries over the euro zone's debt woes and the potential impact on U.S. companies.

Crude-oil futures fluctuated between small gains and losses as investors weighed their worries over the euro zone against the U.S. government's release of data showing a smaller-than expected increase in crude stocks. Gold futures fell.

On the JSE, Anglo was R7.80 or 2.70% weaker at R289.05, while BHP Billiton lost R5.21 or 2.46% to R206.29. Sasol was down R4.90 or 1.72% to R280.10.