Johannesburg - The JSE regained its composure and was stronger at noon on Wednesday, tracking European stocks, which were generally firmer after the release of German inflation data. The local bourse was tentatively weaker in the morning session.
By 12:00 local time, the JSE all-share index had risen 0.65%, with gold miners firming 1.86%, resources rising 0.95% and platinum stocks gaining 0.34%. Financials were firmer at 0.20% and industrials picked up 0.54%. Banks, however, were flat (-0.09%).
The rand was bid at 6.74 to the dollar from 6.76 at the JSE's close on Tuesday. Gold was quoted at US$1 523.52 a troy ounce from US$1 516.71/oz at the JSE's previous close, while platinum was at $1 799/oz, from $1 795.50/oz previously.
"The German inflation numbers are positive for the market as they suggest that the European Central Bank (ECB) has the case to keep interest rates low," an equity dealer said, of the inflation data that came in line with expectations.
High interest rates in Europe meant that the struggling euro-zone countries would struggle further, while the rates slowed down growth in Germany, the region's economic powerhouse, the equity dealer said. There are concerns over Greece's debt.
Dow Jones Newswires reported that European stock markets were little changed in choppy trade on Wednesday, supported by positive sessions in the US and Asia, but unable to make significant headway amid lingering worries about sovereign debt.
Uncertainty over Greece's debt situation remained a concern, traders said, especially with anti-austerity strikes planned across the country on Wednesday. "The debate around the additional aid required to set Greece on a sustainable footing looks set to rumble on at least until the conclusion of the May 16 Ecofin get-together," said Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets.
In London, the FTSE 100 was last 0.18% higher.
Asian shares mostly advanced on Wednesday, as rising metals prices lifted the shares of the region's miners and a weaker yen boosted Japanese exporters.
The gains, however, were capped as a batch of Chinese economic data suggested that elevated inflation might lead Beijing to implement further tightening measures even as industrial production slows down.
Japan's Nikkei Stock Average rose 0.5%. The Australian S&P/ASX 200 index closed up 1.2% at 4 780.20. The Shanghai Composite ended 0.3% lower at 2 883.4, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index retreated 0.2% to 23 291.8.
By 12:00 local time, the JSE all-share index had risen 0.65%, with gold miners firming 1.86%, resources rising 0.95% and platinum stocks gaining 0.34%. Financials were firmer at 0.20% and industrials picked up 0.54%. Banks, however, were flat (-0.09%).
The rand was bid at 6.74 to the dollar from 6.76 at the JSE's close on Tuesday. Gold was quoted at US$1 523.52 a troy ounce from US$1 516.71/oz at the JSE's previous close, while platinum was at $1 799/oz, from $1 795.50/oz previously.
"The German inflation numbers are positive for the market as they suggest that the European Central Bank (ECB) has the case to keep interest rates low," an equity dealer said, of the inflation data that came in line with expectations.
High interest rates in Europe meant that the struggling euro-zone countries would struggle further, while the rates slowed down growth in Germany, the region's economic powerhouse, the equity dealer said. There are concerns over Greece's debt.
Dow Jones Newswires reported that European stock markets were little changed in choppy trade on Wednesday, supported by positive sessions in the US and Asia, but unable to make significant headway amid lingering worries about sovereign debt.
Uncertainty over Greece's debt situation remained a concern, traders said, especially with anti-austerity strikes planned across the country on Wednesday. "The debate around the additional aid required to set Greece on a sustainable footing looks set to rumble on at least until the conclusion of the May 16 Ecofin get-together," said Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets.
In London, the FTSE 100 was last 0.18% higher.
Asian shares mostly advanced on Wednesday, as rising metals prices lifted the shares of the region's miners and a weaker yen boosted Japanese exporters.
The gains, however, were capped as a batch of Chinese economic data suggested that elevated inflation might lead Beijing to implement further tightening measures even as industrial production slows down.
Japan's Nikkei Stock Average rose 0.5%. The Australian S&P/ASX 200 index closed up 1.2% at 4 780.20. The Shanghai Composite ended 0.3% lower at 2 883.4, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index retreated 0.2% to 23 291.8.