Money SA economy
The JSE ended slightly firmer on Monday, with light total volumes and low total value traded underscoring nervousness among investors who remain on the sidelines due to heightened global economic uncertainty.
At its close the JSE all share index added 0.21%, with resources gaining 0.32% and gold miners climbing 0.64%. But platinum miners fell 1.10%. Banks rose 0.85% and industrials eked out 0.11% gain, and financials were 0.17% higher. Gold was quoted at $1 224.80/oz from $1 212.28/oz at the JSE's previous close, while platinum was at $1 532.00/oz from $1 520.50/oz before.
Mpho Mojalefa, a trader at BJM Client Services, said low value traded and light volumes indicated that investors were not prepared to commit themselves amid lack of direction.
Mojalefa said foreigners were buying US bonds, spreads were widening in Europe and gold price was higher, underlining uncertainty about the global economic recovery.
"The US manufacturing data came below expectations," he said.
Earlier, Japan reported downbeat economic data that raised concerns about the global economic recovery.
Dow Jones Newswires reported that US stocks fell early on Monday after weaker-than-expected reports on New York-area manufacturing and Japan's gross domestic product fuelled concerns over slowing global growth.
On the JSE, Anglo American Plc rose R2.49 to R272.99, BHP Billiton gained 85 cents to R222.50 and Sasol was 75 cents higher at R290.25.
