* Top-40 index up 0.27 pct to 30,446.28
* All-Share up 0.24 pct to 34,482.43
JOHANNESBURG May 2 (Reuters) – South Africa’s broad
All-share index closed at a record high on Thursday, as
improving Chinese manufacturing data boosted appetite for
Johannesburg-listed resource firms such as BHP Billiton
.
But a fall in global platinum spot prices knocked producers
such as Anglo American Platinum, which shed nearly 2
percent to 494 rand.
Traders said they expected further gains ahead, but that
market players will also be keeping an eye on U.S. job market
figures due to be released on Friday.
“The markets will still get better until Friday. There is
another employment report from the U.S. and the guys will look
at that one,” said Malcom Moller, a trader at Vunani.
The All-share index added 0.24 percent to 34,482.43, its
highest finish in its 17-year history. It also touched a new
record high of 34,647.73.
The benchmark Top-40 index gained 0.27 percent to
30,446.28.
Shares of top global miner BHP Billiton added 2 percent to
253.18 rand in Johannesburg while diversified miner Exxaro
gained 0.8 percent to 208.61 rand.
Continued…
