The JSE recorded another session of losses as global equities continued to trade weaker in light of the political crisis in Italy.
The index opened weaker and continued to trade under pressure for the remainder of the day. The local bourse was dragged further by index heavyweight, Naspers [JSE:NPN], which lost another 2.19% to close at R3020.44 per share. Other top losers on the JSE included Capital and Regional [JSE:CRP] which lost 4.53%, as well as Clientele [JSE:CIL] which ended the day 4.88% weaker. Raubex [JSE:RBX] lost 4.85% to close at R21.60 per share, whilst Barloworld [JSE:BAW] closed at R130.00 per share after losing 3.09%.
Vodacom [JSE:VOD] traded under pressure to eventually close at R144.57 per share, down 2.68% for the day. Retailers, Woolworths [JSE:WHL] and Mr Price [JSE:MRP] shed 1% and 1.96% respectively, whilst insurers, Old Mutual [JSE:OML] and Sanlam [JSE:SLM] lost 0.52% and 2.34% respectively. Bidvest [JSE:BVT] and Discovery [JSE:DSY] ended the day 1.86% and 1.61% weaker respectively.
Spar Group [JSE:SPP] released an upbeat set of half-year earnings results which reflected decent increases in earnings. As a result the stock managed to gain 2.87% to close at R192.62 per share. Shoprite [JSE:SHP] ended the day firmer after adding 3.12% to close at R232.26 per share, whilst Truworths [JSE:TRU] gained 1.13%.
Listed property stocks, Fortress B [JSE:FFB] and Resilient [JSE:RES] traded firmer on the day eventually closing 6.76% and 2.33% firmer. Platinum miner, Lonmin [JSE:LON] managed to add 5.12%, while construction firm, Murray and Roberts [JSE:MUR] gained 2.22% to close at R17.53 per share. Rhodes Food Group [JSE:RFG] and RCL Foods [JSE:RCL] closed 5.15% and 3.03% firmer respectively.
After a grim trading session the JSE All-Share Index closed 0.6% weaker, while the blue-chip JSE Top-40 Index lost 0.68%. The Resources index recorded marginal gains of 0.27%, however the Industrials and Financials indices lost 1% and 0.61% respectively.
The Rand strengthened against the greenback in today’s session as the US dollar eased from its highs. The Rand strengthened by more than 1% to reach a session high of R12.53/$, however it retraced to trade at R12.56/$ at 17.00 CAT.
Gold broke above $1300/Oz but it failed gain any traction beyond its session high of $1302.99/Oz. The yellow metal was trading at $1300.65/Oz at 17.00 CAT, up 0.2% for the day. Platinum was trading 0.1% firmer at $906.62/Oz, whilst Palladium inched up by 0.13% to close at $979.48/Oz.
Brent crude jumped by more than 2% to reach a session high of $77.04/barrel. It was recorded at $76.94/barrel just after the JSE close.
At 17.00 CAT Bitcoin was trading 0.85% weaker, at $7350.00 per coin, whilst Ethereum had lost 0.75% to trade at $549.20 per coin.