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Johannesburg - The JSE edged up at Friday's open, playing catch-up to the Dow which gained a further half a percent after the JSE's close on Thursday.
A local trader said: "We opened a bit flat and then gained momentum this morning. The Dow picked up half a percent after the JSE's close and we're seeing a little bit of catch-up coming through now."
He said the rand had weakened slightly from yesterday's close and this was helping resources.
By 09:08 local time, the JSE All Share [JSE:J203] index added 0.61%, with resources leading the way up 0.82%. Platinum miners garnered 0.64%, and gold collected 0.36%.
Banks added 0.60%, industrials improved by 0.55%, and financials collected 0.42%.
The rand was bid at R7.73 to the dollar, from R7.71 at the JSE's close on Thursday. Gold traded at $1 738.95 a troy ounce from $1 727.11/oz at the JSE's previous close, while platinum was at $1 645.70/oz, from $1 621/oz previously.
Dow Jones Newswires reported that Asian shares rallied for a second day, with the Sydney market hitting a three-month high as investor confidence grew after European Union leaders outlined a plan to contain the eurozone sovereign debt crisis.
"In general, markets are happy that the decision-making process seemed to be finally working, and are willing to put the lack of detail on the back burner for another day," said RBC Capital Markets senior currency strategist Stewart Hall.
European bourses are likely to follow higher, with bunds and gilts starting slightly lower, as markets settle into a calmer mode after a week of fireworks. The euro, oil futures and copper are lower, while spot gold is higher.
