South African stocks close weaker

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) closed weaker on Friday, weighed down by resources.

Resources stocks were lower as the copper price retreated in the early morning trade. The platinum price was up 0.54 percent to 1,013.91 U.S. dollars an ounce supporting platinum shares, despite the stronger rand.

Gold capitalized on a slightly softer dollar, with the metal gaining 0.53 percent to 1,256.32 dollars an ounce at the close of the trading week, its best level in three months.

The all share was down 1.1 percent to 51,609.86 points and the blue-chip top 40 lost 1.16 percent. Resources shed 1.08 percent, general retailers lost 0.55 percent, and industrials lost 0.74 percent. The gold index added 0.03 percent and platinum gained 1.5 percent.

Among the global miners, Anglo American lost 5.24 percent to R202.

British American Tobacco firmed 1.53 percent to R817. It reported strong annual results on Thursday.

Among platinum stocks, Impala Platinum lifted 1.17 percent to R47.55. Goldfield rose 1.25 percent to R42.99.

Among banks, Standard Bank softened 0.64 percent to R143.81. Endit