* Top-40 up 0.91 pct to 30,373.15
* All-Share adds 0.83 pct to 34,082.78.
JOHANNESBURG Feb 17 (Reuters) – South Africa’s
benchmark index rose 0.9 percent on Friday as recovery in the
platinum price prompted a rebound in miners such as Lonmin
, while Anglo American rose after posting a
rise in full-year earnings.
Local sentiment was also buoyed by strong U.S.
macro-economic data and optimism over the possibility of a Greek
debt deal early next week.
“Our day’s trading today has been more a follow on from the
increased optimism globally. We are still rallying on the firm
economic data out of New York,” said Paul Theron, an analyst at
Vestact.
“The Greece thing, if it does get resolved, will be a market
positive. It is a remaining cause for anxiety.”
U.S. labour, manufacturing and housing data released after
Johannesburg’s markets closed on Thursday suggested sustained
momentum in the key economic sectors and confirmed a recovery in
the world’s biggest economy continued at steady pace.
Johannesburg’s Top-40 index gained 0.91 percent to
30,373.15 and the All-Share added 0.83 percent to
34,082.78.
Platinum producers were the biggest gainers, helped
by a recovery in the price of the metal, which has been
sold off in the last few sessions. During the session platinum
rose as high as $1,640 an ounce, an increase of 1.3 percent.
Continued…
