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Johannesburg - The JSE was in positive territory in early Wednesday trade with all the main indices in the black as platinums‚ resources and general retailers underpinned the gains.
Global focus is on the release of the US Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) March meeting minutes this evening‚ as investors will look for signs on when the Federal Reserve will deviate from its current monetary easing policy. Any changes in policy would definitely have an effect on markets.
At 10:04 the JSE All Share [JSE:J203] index was 0.76% firmer at 38 833.74 points and the blue-chip Top 40 - (Tradeabel) [JSE:J200] index had added 0.78%.
The platinum‚ resource and general retailer indices added 2.27%‚ 1.44% and 1.19% respectively.
Major European markets were also trading in positive terrain this morning‚ with the London FTSE 100 index seen 0.62% firmer at 9:49 local time.
Meanwhile in the East‚ shares in Japan were higher on Wednesday amid the yen's recent weakness while the Australian currency climbed on better than expected Chinese import data‚ Dow Jones Newswires reported.
The Nikkei Stock Average closed 0.73% firmer with Japanese exporters continuing to benefit from the yen's recent depreciation‚ though the pace of gains slowed.
Regional markets on the whole were mixed‚ despite gains in US stocks on Tuesday.
China posted a $880m surprise trade deficit for March compared with February's $15.25bn surplus.
Chinese markets gradually reacted to the numbers with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index adding 0.58% by 9:49 local time.
On the local front‚ movers on the JSE were mining conglomerate BHP Billiton (BIL) adding 1.61% to R267.84 and Sasol (SOL)‚ which added 1.70% to R396.77.
Kumba Iron Ore (KIO) improved 2.02% to R460.11 and Exxaro (EXX) was 1.33% firmer at R151.99.
Platinum player Lonmin (LON) gained 3.21% to R41.44‚ Impala Platinum (IMP) added 2.46% at R130.38 and Aquarius (AQP) jumped 4.84% to R6.28.
