The JSE advanced on Friday on the back of strong gains across most global markets following a surge in US markets on Thursday.
US markets rallied on Thursday on the back of optimism that the US market could reopen soon, and there was hope that a treatment for the coronavirus could be just over the horizon following a report from Gilead Sciences Inc. Global stocks advanced despite weak Chinese GDP data which showed that the Chinese economy contracted by 6.8% from a prior recording of 6.0%, while retail sales contracted by 15.8%. Strong gains were recorded across Europe as well as the USA where stock markets opened firmer.
The rand had a mixed session as it traded mostly firmer before erasing most gains towards the JSE close. At 17.00 CAT, the rand was trading 0.07% weaker at R18.88/$.
GT247, South Africa's Top Online Stockbroker, as voted by Intellidex, will continue to operate their powerful MT5 trading platform during the COVID-19 lockdown period. The trading team has assembled their workstations at home and are operational remotely. Clients may experience slight delays in support queries but trading online will resume as normal. Please use our FAQ self-help portal or email supportdesk@gt247.com if you require assistance.
On the JSE, Telkom [JSE:TKG] was one of the day’s biggest movers after it surged 11.32% to close at R21.05, while Vodacom [JSE:VOD] rallied 5.43% to close at R120.65. Tsogo Sun Hotels [JSE:TGO] climbed 10.27% as it closed at R2.04, while Famous Brands [JSE:FBR] gained 9.17% to close at R37.50. Commodity trading giant Glencore PLC [JSE:GLN] advanced 9.14% to close at R33.21, while diversified miner Anglo American PLC [JSE:AGL] added 5.54% to end the day at R330.93. Index heavyweight, Richemont [JSE:CFR] rallied 4.13% to close at R106.98, while Mondi PLC [JSE:MNP] closed at R313.31 after adding 5.5%. Advances were also recorded for BHP Group [JSE:BHP] which rose 5.17% to close at R308.75, as well as Absa Group [JSE:ABG] which closed at R83.30 after gaining 3.31%.
KAP Industrial Holdings [JSE:KAP] came under significant pressure as it fell 11.49% to close at R2.08, while Super Group [JSE:SPG] tumbled 5.05% to close at R15.23. Gold miners traded mostly softer as declines were recorded for DRD Gold [JSE:DRD] which lost 4.66% to close at R15.54, as well as Gold Fields [JSE:GFI] which slipped 4.52% to close at R120.28. Intu Properties [JSE:ITU] retreated 3.23% to close at R1.50, while Resilient [JSE:RES] lost 2.17% to end the day at R39.69. Significant losses were recorded for Life Healthcare [JSE:LHC] which fell 4.19% to close at R18.29, and Capitec Bank Holdings [JSE:CPI] which closed at R902.80 after falling 2.45%.
The JSE All-Share index closed 1.84% higher while the JSE Top-40 index gained 1.96%. The Resources index surged 3.19% while the Industrials and Financials indices managed to add 1.03% and 2% respectively.
Brent crude recorded a mild recovery in today’s session as it was recorded trading 1.58% firmer at $28.26/barrel just after the JSE close.
At 17.00 CAT, Gold was down 1.58% at $1690.59/Oz, Platinum was 1.69% weaker at $775.14/Oz, and Palladium was up 0.42% at $2181.35/Oz.
Disclaimer:
Any opinions, news, research, reports, analyses, prices, or other information contained within this research is provided by GT247.com at GT247 (Pty) Ltd t/a GT247.com (“GT247.com”) as general market commentary, and does not constitute investment advice for the purposes of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, 2002. GT247.com does not warrant the correctness, accuracy, timeliness, reliability or completeness of any information which we receive from third party data providers. You must rely solely upon your own judgment in all aspects of your trading decisions and all trades are made at your own risk. GT247.com and any of its employees will not accept any liability for any direct or indirect loss or damage, including without limitation, any loss of profit, which may arise directly or indirectly from use of or reliance on the market commentary. The content contained within is subject to change at any time without notice.