S. African stocks close in red as Trump-induced global jitters continue
Xinhua, February 3, 2017 Adjust font size:
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) closed weaker on Thursday, pulled down in part by Donald Trump's ultra nationalistic and protectionist language.
The all share index was off 0.72 percent to 52,719.58 points at close of session, as banks and industrials lost 1.05 percent and 0.5 percent respectively. But platinum and gold stocks bucked a weaker trend, thanks to a weaker dollar that lifted the underlying precious metal prices.
Precious metals were stronger, with gold rising 1.06 percent to 1221.51 U.S. dollars an ounce, silver gaining 0.49 percent to 17.60 U.S. dollars an ounce, and platinum up 0.38 percent to 1000.27 U.S. dollars an ounce.
The South Africa rand was trading at R13.33 to the U.S. dollar, R16.7 to the British pound and R14.41 to the euro at 5:00 p.m. (CAT).
BHP Billition gave up 2.44 percent to R241.66 and Kumba Iron Ore lost 3.17 percent to R213.
AngloGold Ashanti was up 3.61 percent to R176 with Gold Fields gaining 2.72 percent to R47.61 and Harmony rising 4.15 percent to R35.41.
Sanlam retreated 1.96 percent to R62.6 while Barclays Africa shed 1.41 percent to 154.2.
Clicks Group slipped 3.55 percent to R120.29. Vodacom lost 1 percent to R149.07. Endit