JSE still closed due to 'glitch'

The JSE said it was still investigating the cause of the technical glitch that crashed the cash equities market and halted trading this morning.

"We are working to restore the market as quickly as possible," the local bourse said. With trading delayed for about three hours, the JSE said it has not decided whether it would extend trading today after 05:00pm, when the market would traditionally close.

The JSE said earlier it is aware of technical problems on the cash equities market, which began soon after the market opened. It had to halt the market.

This is the second time in three weeks that the local bourse has been hit by a technical glitch, delaying trade in the morning session.

On July 12, the JSE experienced technical problems, which affected the exchange's international connectivity and forced the market to commence trading only at 10.30am. The exchange normally opens at 09.00am local time.

"The JSE's international links are provided by MTN and the two companies are refining the analysis of the cause," the company said then.

At noon, the rand was bid at R7.30/$ from R7.35/$ at the JSE's close on Monday. Gold was quoted at $1 183.64 a troy ounce from $1 181.43/oz at the JSE's previous close, while platinum was at $1 556.50/oz from $1 546.50/oz before.