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JSE All-share hits all-time high
May 2, 2012--The JSE reached a new record level during trade on Wednesday, lifted by resources following the release of Chinese manufacturing data which, an analyst said, restored confidence in commodity trade.
The Chinese data for April surpassed forecasts and sent the Dow Jones Industrial Average to its best close in more than four years on Tuesday.
The strong Chinese manufacturing data and the HSBC China Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index propelled the gains, with media reports saying the latest figures indicate that growth in Asia's biggest economy is picking up after a lull over the past few months.
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Source: FIN24
Rand tracks euro, remains range-bound
May 2, 2012--The rand remained traded in ranges during Wednesday afternoon as it tracked the euro, while the release of the SA Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) had little effect on the local currency.
The PMI, which is a diffusion index measuring activity in the manufacturing sector, with 50 the breakeven level, dropped to 53.7 in April from 55.1 in March, 57.9 in February and 53.2 in January.
At 17:24 local time the rand was bid at R7.7583 to the dollar from its previous close of R7.7283. It was bid at R10.2067 to the euro from R10.2270 before, and at R12.5708 against sterling from R12.5305 previously.
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Survey: More investment in Africa
Investment from across the world surged from 339 projects in 2003 to 857 in 2011. Growth in intra-African investment was being led by the regional powerhouses of Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. read more
JSE off session highs at noon
Financials lifted 0.45%, banking stocks were up 0.39% and industrials slipped 0.12%.
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Rand stuck in ranges ahead of holiday
The ECB is meeting on Thursday in Barcelona and media reports say it may refuse any more easy money for governments as the political resolve to rein in deficits shows signs of crumbling in that region.
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Nigerian Stock Exchange to roll out top-speed NASDAQ OMX trading platform Previously the NSE was automated with NASDAQ’s Horizon system. The new platform is part of the wider reforms being carried through by CEO Oscar Onyema, some of which were initiated by the previous interim administrator Emmanuel Ikazoboh. Reuters reports that reforms to the market include allowing covered short-selling and extending trading hours. The news agency reports that exchange officials said that the new trading system will build confidence in the market’s transparency and adds that analysts expect the market to end 2012 with gains. read more
JSE firm, buoyed by gold stocks
At 17:00 local time, the JSE All Share [JSE:J203] index was up 0.65% to 34 251.43 points, with gold stocks rallying 3.50%, platinum shares lifted 0.92% and resources picked up 1.11%.
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Bonds firmer on short-covering read more
Rand steady as it enjoys a respite read more
Africa ready to embrace a low-carbon future Judging by the success of the conference, Kai-Uwe Schmidt, team lead of Carbon Finance Assist at the World Bank, called the ACF one of the key climate events in Africa.
“This conference definitely exceeded our expectations.” he said, “especially in terms of the remarkable increase in the breadth and depth of the interactions among policymakers, experts, and practitioners from the public and private sectors. It has been a great place to see peers exchanging knowledge and collaborating on major issues, including low-carbon development strategies, action plans, climate, and carbon finance." read more
Source: FIN24
May 2, 2012--Growing confidence in African economies has more than doubled foreign direct investment into the continent over the last decade, said a survey released Thursday.
"Growing optimism and confidence among international and African investors has led to significant inward investment into Africa over the last decade," according accounting firm Ernst & Young.
Source: FIN24
April 30, 2012--The JSE was off session highs in midday trade on Monday, but strong buying interest in the resources sector kept the local bourse in the black.
At 12:00 local time, the JSE All Share [JSE:J203] index was up 0.32% to 34 362.67 points, with resources gaining 0.99% and platinum shares edging up 0.14%, while gold counters lost 1.49%.
Source: FIN24
April 30, 2012--The rand was stuck in ranges in Monday afternoon trade despite SA's trade deficit of R5.5 billion for its trade with non-Southern African Customs Union trading partners in March.
The rand remained firm throughout the day before the trade data was released by SARS. Its performance was said to be flat by analysts who also anticipated little movement of the local currency until the outcome of the European Central Bank (ECB) meeting later this week.
Source: FIN24
April 27, 2012--The Nigerian Stock Exchange says it will have the fastest trading system in Africa when it upgrades its trading to NASDAQ OMX Group's X-Stream platform, with a target date of second quarter of 2013.
The new system will handle a wide range of instruments, accounts will be accessible from smart-phones and it will enable the NSE to host other exchanges’ trading platforms.
Source: African Capital Markets
April 26, 2012--The JSE ended the day and week on a firmer footing on Thursday, buoyed mainly by gold stocks, amid positive global investor sentiment.
SA markets are closed on Friday for the Freedom Day public holiday, and again on Tuesday for Workers' Day.
Source: FIN24
April 26, 2012--Bonds were a few basis points firmer in midday trade on Thursday which traders attributed mainly to some short-covering and residual buying by local investors.
The local gilts took little succour from better than expected producer price inflation data for March and also received little support from the rand which was range bound against major currencies, taking a breather after posting some gains over the past few days.
Source: FIN24
April 26, 2012--The rand remained range bound in noon trade on Thursday, taking a breather after posting some gains over the past few days on the back of a general rise in global risk appetite.
The local unit was unmoved by producer price inflation data for March which was much better than expected.
Source: FIN24
Carbon reduction can be combined with development and rising incomes
April 26, 2012--With a record number of 1,200 registered participants, this year's Africa Carbon Forum (ACF) demonstrated that Africa represents a golden opportunity for a green future.
The annual forum is the leading knowledge-sharing and carbon trade platform in Africa. The event, which this year was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, brought together project developers, service providers, buyers and sellers of carbon credits, and various other private and public sector stakeholders. All are hoping to tap the potential of carbon finance to promote low carbon development on the continent.
Source: World Bank
