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Johannesburg - South African stocks eked out a fourth straight session of gains on Monday, lead by retailers such as Spar Group and Woolworths, which analysts say are now presenting value after underperforming the wider market this year.
Food retailers especially are seen getting a boost as consumers' restraint eases over the approaching Christmas period, though the national mood has been subdued by the death of the country's first black president Nelson Mandela.
"The market is now looking for cheaper stocks that stayed behind the rally we have had this year, and the retailers are a good example," said Abri du Plessis, chief investment Officer at Gryphon Asset Management.
After gaining 45% last year, Johannesburg's general retail index is down 10% so far in 2013 compared to a 13% rise in the All-share index, which remains within striking distance of recently scaled life highs.
Du Plessis also said food retailers should get a Christmas lift "because people will indulge in food and liquor this time of the year."
But furniture and clothing retailers would not fare as well since consumers remain under pressure on a range of fronts, from high levels of debt to income lost to strikes.
The Top-40 index added 0.31% to 40 028.41 while the wider All-share climbed 0.26% to 44 732.42.
Grocer Spar zipped up 3% to R127.86 while up-market food retailer Woolworths added 1.3% to R74.10.
Gold shares were under pressure as bullion's spot price was pinned near 5-month lows around $1 230 an ounce. Africa's top producer of the precious metal AngloGold Ashanti shed almost 1.5% to 125.50, the lowest in about 2-1/2 months.
Decliners outnumbered advancers 170 to 140, according to preliminary bourse data, while 47 issues remained unchanged. Volumes were fairly modest with around 146 million shares swapping hands.
Food retailers especially are seen getting a boost as consumers' restraint eases over the approaching Christmas period, though the national mood has been subdued by the death of the country's first black president Nelson Mandela.
"The market is now looking for cheaper stocks that stayed behind the rally we have had this year, and the retailers are a good example," said Abri du Plessis, chief investment Officer at Gryphon Asset Management.
After gaining 45% last year, Johannesburg's general retail index is down 10% so far in 2013 compared to a 13% rise in the All-share index, which remains within striking distance of recently scaled life highs.
Du Plessis also said food retailers should get a Christmas lift "because people will indulge in food and liquor this time of the year."
But furniture and clothing retailers would not fare as well since consumers remain under pressure on a range of fronts, from high levels of debt to income lost to strikes.
The Top-40 index added 0.31% to 40 028.41 while the wider All-share climbed 0.26% to 44 732.42.
Grocer Spar zipped up 3% to R127.86 while up-market food retailer Woolworths added 1.3% to R74.10.
Gold shares were under pressure as bullion's spot price was pinned near 5-month lows around $1 230 an ounce. Africa's top producer of the precious metal AngloGold Ashanti shed almost 1.5% to 125.50, the lowest in about 2-1/2 months.
Decliners outnumbered advancers 170 to 140, according to preliminary bourse data, while 47 issues remained unchanged. Volumes were fairly modest with around 146 million shares swapping hands.
