Johannesburg - The JSE was off its earlier worst levels in late morning trade on Thursday as the euro recovery against the US dollar continued, lifting metals prices off their lows.
At 11:51 the JSE all share index was down just 0.11%, with resources 0.20% softer and platinum miners 0.53% worse off. However, gold shares were up 0.38%.
Banks were off just 0.08% but financials were up a marginal 0.05%, while industrials were 0.12% softer.
The rand was bid at R7.51 to the dollar, from R7.47 at the JSE's close on Wednesday. Gold was quoted at $1 137.57 a troy ounce from $1 126.74/oz at the JSE's last close. Platinum was at $1 578.50/oz from $1 565/oz at the
JSE's last close.
A local equities trader said that the local market has been generally quite positive over the past few days and has now run into some profit-taking. However, the JSE was off its earlier lows as the euro recovered somewhat against the dollar, lifting commodities prices off their lows.
Later today the market will focus on the ECB and Bank of England interest rate decisions and then US employment data on Friday.
The trader added that recent local economic data has been very positive and that has helped the local market.
"There is a bit of risk in the short term that we have moved into an overbought position and that's one of the reasons we are seeing some profit-taking. I think the volatility will continue. The rand is quite strong and the local economic indicators are good and the market is running up on these positive factors," he added.
The trade noted that local retail and banking stocks are looking strong.
"There is still some interest in ArcelorMittal, so that is a bit of a feature today, and the share has recovered around 5% after it fell sharply, as expected, when it resumed trading yesterday," he said.
On Wednesday the company's share fell 22.65%, to R90.25 when trading in its shares resumed. The local steel maker's shares were suspended last Friday after it announced that Sishen Iron Ore Company, a subsidiary of Kumba Iron Ore, would no longer be supplying it iron ore at a discounted rate. A supply agreement struck by the two companies in 2001 allowed the steel maker to buy 6.25 million tons a year from SIOC on a cost plus 3% basis.
Kumba, which is willing to supply the iron ore to ArcelorMittal at commercial prices, said the steel miner failed to convert its 21.4% undivided share in the old order mining rights which it held in relation to the Sishen mine to now order mining rights under the new mining laws.
The company's share price was last at R94.79, up 5%, or R4.54.
Dow Jones Newswires reports Asian shares ended mostly lower on Thursday, with Chinese banking and property shares losing ground a day before the mainland's annual National People's Congress amid concerns about policy tightening.
China's Shanghai Composite fell 2.4%, Japan's Nikkei 225 finished off 1.1% while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index dropped 1.4%.
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures fell 30 points lower in screen trade.
Traders said investors were also cautious ahead of the European Central Bank's interest rate decision later on Thursday and US jobs data on Friday, while recent developments around debt-strapped Greece were also being watched closely.
In London, the FTSE100 was last down 10.7 points.
- I-Net Bridge