JSE up at noon, but volumes are low

The JSE rose at noon on Thursday in line with global markets, but light volumes indicate that investors are cautious ahead of the release of US weekly jobless claims later today.

By noon local time the JSE all share index had gained 0.41%, as platinum miners added 0.09%, gold miners rose 0.13%, and resources climbed 0.47%. Banks picked up 0.63%, financials firmed 0.46% and industrials edged up 0.34%. Gold was quoted at $1 166.88 a troy ounce from $1,161.05/oz at the JSE's previous close, while platinum was at $1 547.50/oz from $1 536.50/oz before.

A trader said domestic stocks were monitoring world equities, with the US futures and European shares stronger. The trader said thin volumes suggest that investors were cautious ahead of the US weekly jobless claims data, which will be closely watched.

Dow Jones Newswires reported that Asian stocks ended mixed on Thursday though optimism over the Chinese economy helped push Shanghai-listed shares higher.

European shares rose, as investors digested a deluge of mostly positive earnings reports. The FTSE 100 was last firmer 0.69%.
On the JSE, Anglo American plc gained R1.23 to R293.00, and BHP Billiton added 95 cents to R229.85. Sasol jumped R4.55 to R293.05.