Johannesburg – South African
near-dated futures ended firmer on Friday‚ tracking positive global
investor sentiment‚ following the better-than-expected US jobs
report.
The near-dated alsi ended 0.82% higher
to 30‚913 points.
The total number of contracts that
exchanged hands was 45‚187 from 44‚178 on Thursday.
“Money continued to flow into banks
and financials in particular‚ while resources lagged‚” said
Greg Kangleas‚ portfolio manager at Vunani Private Clients. “The
positive US jobs report encouraged more risk taking.”
The rand strengthened to R8.13 to the
US dollar from R8.35 previously‚ and the spot price of gold was
$1606.06 per fine ounce from $1‚589.50/oz.
The July US jobs reading showed
non-farm payrolls grew by 163‚000‚ stronger than the median
95‚000 forecast by economists polled by Dow Jones Newswires. The
unemployment rate ticked higher to 8.3%.
US
stocks were sharply firmer‚ with the Dow Jones Industrial Average
gaining 1.90% by 17:45 SA time.