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Feb 13 2012 12:15
Miner Xstrata says it has brought forward maintenance on two furnaces to assist Eskom to save power.
Feb 13 2012 10:43
Although jobs were created, the economy is still 420 000 jobs short of the peak employment level before the 2009 global financial crisis, says Adcorp.
Feb 13 2012 07:58
Greek lawmakers have approved a new round of drastic austerity measures after a long day of street battles between police and protesters left dozens injured.
Johannesburg - The JSE was flat in afternoon trade on Thursday as markets await US second quarter jobless data this afternoon.
By 12:00 local time the JSE all share index had risen 0.21%, with resources 0.55% higher. Platinum miners gained 1.13% while gold miners added 1.03%. Banks fell 0.12%, financials were up slightly by 0.11%, and industrials shed 0.03%.
The rand was bid at R7.24 to the dollar from R7.28 at the JSE's close on Wednesday. Gold was quoted at $1 246.12 a troy ounce from $1 245.54/oz at the JSE's previous close, while platinum was at $1 537.00/oz from $1 533.50/oz before.
"The market is waiting for 14:30 when jobless claims come out. Markets want further clarification on whether or not the upbeat economic data we've seen this week will continue. We'll probably see more activity after that," a local trader said.
Dow Jones Newswires reported earlier that Asian markets were higher on Thursday on the back of the stronger-than-expected US manufacturing data.
Japan's Nikkei Stock Average closed 1.52% firmer on Thursday, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was last 1.30% higher.
Still, reflecting the still-cautious tone, markets failed to match Wall Street's gains as investors waited for Friday's key US jobs report. On
Wednesday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 2.5% to 10 269.47, marking its biggest one-day gain since July 7.
European stocks opened lower on Thursday, as investors looked to take profits after the sharp gains of the previous session, amid caution ahead of the US jobess data release.