South Africa’s main stock index rose for a fifth day and headed for a third consecutive record close, with banks rallying as optimism over a global economic rebound fuelled appetite for riskier assets. Local market giant Naspers Ltd. added impetus to the advance, rebounding from Thursday’s losses as global technology shares rose.
The FTSE/JSE Africa All Share Index advanced 1% as of 4:07 p.m. in Johannesburg, extending its gains this week to more than 7%, the best performance over the first five trading sessions of the year since 1999. The gauge has also outpaced the advance in MSCI Inc.’s index of emerging-market stocks, which is up 4.2% this week and reached a record high on Friday.
South Africa’s rand was the best-performing emerging-market currency against the dollar Friday, helping to drive gains in bank stocks. An index of local lenders surged 3.5%, adding to Thursday’s 3.1% increase. FirstRand Ltd. rose 4.5% and Standard Bank Group Ltd. added 3.9%, with the two stocks among the biggest drivers of the overall market strength.
Sasol Ltd. was prominent among gainers, climbing 4.1% with Brent oil topping $55 a barrel for the first time since February as Saudi Arabia’s unilateral output cut eased over-supply fears and amid the optimism on U.S. stimulus spending. Sasol’s 25% New Year surge makes it the best-performing Johannesburg stock early in 2021.
Tech investor Naspers contributed the most index points to the benchmark Friday, rising 1.3% to reverse some of Thursday’s 2.8% slump, as partly owned Chinese online giant Tencent Holdings Ltd. climbed 0.8% in Hong Kong.
Imperial Logistics Ltd. jumped as much as 10%, the most in seven months, benefiting from investors’ more upbeat outlook on the economy. Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd. rallied for a fourth day, jumping as much as 5.4% to a four-month high. The company has agreed to manufacture doses of Johnson & Johnson’s coronavirus vaccine candidate in South Africa if it gains regulatory approval.
Gold stocks underperformed as demand for bullion as a haven waned. An index of miners of the precious metal retreated for a third day, falling 1.2%. AngloAshanti Ltd. slid 1% and Gold Fields Ltd. dropped 1.1%.
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“fresh record” and “oversold” doesn’t jibe. A writer using TA should have at least some TA knowledge.
Vote 16
Beware the double dip.
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Its amazing what a disconnect there is between equity prices and the real economy. On the ground , businesses are going broke daily, SOEs are bankrupt, municipalities in chaos, people being fired all over, bad debts soaring in secured and unsecured debt, companies going backwards in profits…but equity prices are at a record.
But then the JSE is everything but a play on the SA economy…exports for commodities and large caps that are not SA inc earnings…Naspers, Prosus, BTI, Sasol, MTN, AB Inbev, Richemont or commodity exporters..BHP, Anglo, Glencore, Plat, Kumba and Gold shares
Vote 20
lucky for M&M they not only invest offshore as they preach to everyone.
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Stocks the world over are at historic highs while there is a pandemic and real economies are crashing. My opinion is that it is because most of the stimulus money that is being printed find its way into the hands of asset managers and rich people / corporations who buys shares (financial assets). Very little find its way to the SME’s that need it. Does that make sense?
Vote 5
JSE hasn’t shown any growth since the incompetent Jaco Zuma became president. Easy to show growth from a zero base.
This trend will continue until all the looters (90% of the ANC) are replaced…
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