S. African stocks close firmer on Wednesday

Shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) firmed on Wednesday, as opposition political members took to the streets demanding the South African president to step down.

The all share was up 0.03 percent to 53,551.31 points at close of trading. Banks and Financial share rebound after last week's sell-off. The top 40 index tumbled by 0.02 percent.

The South Africa rand, which reached R13.63 to the U.S. dollar in intra-day trade from close to R14 on Tuesday.

Banks stocks were the hardest hit by the cabinet reshuffle. The international rating agencies then downgraded the country's credit rating last week, leading to the local unit tumbling.

Big rand-hedge stocks, such as British American Tobacco, down 1.22 percent to R918.99, Sasol was up 1.43 percent to R416.16.

Standard Bank regained 3.83 percent to R143.49, with FirstRand recouping 3.22 percent to R47.08 and Barclays Africa recovering 1.38 percent to R144.97. MMI Holdings climbed 3.64 percent to R22.8.

Mr Price gained 3.65 percent to R153.4 and Massmart edged up 3.31 percent to R135.33.

Naspers rose 0.87 percent to R2,471.59. Endit