The JSE was weaker in midday trade on Wednesday in line with global markets in the wake of a poor start to the US earnings season and continuing concerns about Greece's debt situation.
By 12pm the JSE all share index was down 0.43 percent, with resources 0.98 percent lower, platinum miners 1.81 percent softer and gold miners down 1.99 percent.
Banks were flat (-0.01 percent), financials 0.07 percent weaker and the industrial index down 0.06 percent.
The rand was bid at R7.26/$, from R7.23/$ at the JSE's close on Monday.
Gold was quoted at $1 150.09/oz from $1 162.05/oz at the JSE's last close.
Platinum was at $1 708.50/oz from $1 733.50/oz at the JSE's last close.
A local trader said the JSE was weaker in line with overseas markets, with platinum and gold miners in particular coming under pressure amid lower metal prices.
Dow Jones Newswires reported that European stocks were flat to slightly lower Tuesday as investors braced for more earnings news following a disappointing start to the US reporting season.
After Monday's US market close, Alcoa reported a first-quarter loss that matched Wall Street expectations as the aluminum producer booked a raft of special charges.
The company's shares fell 0.6 percent in after-hours trade.
Basic-resource stocks were the main drag in Europe, pushing lower amid weaker metals prices.
Traders said a period of consolidation is likely following the recent strong run in equities, adding that any more uninspiring earnings reports from the US would provide the perfect excuse for investors to take money off the table.
Asian markets ended mostly lower on Tuesday as technology shares fell broadly on caution ahead of Intel's earnings report.
Aluminum producer stocks were also lower after Alcoa results fell slightly short of expectations.
Japan's Nikkei 225 Average slid 0.8 percent to 11 161.23, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was 0.7 percent lower and South Korea's Kospi ended flat.
Most regional markets started the day on a weak note after Alcoa's lackluster earnings report, although the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 11 000 for the first time since September 2008 on Monday.
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down nine points in screen trade.
Meanwhile, US stocks are expected to open down Tuesday, despite the Dow Jones Industrials Average closing above the significant 11 000-level.
David Morrison at GFT says Alcoa's earnings have dampened sentiment after missing its revenue forecast for the first time since 2007.
Calls the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 25 points at 10 980 and the S&P 500 down 3.5 at 1 193.
Says: "So much good news has been priced into equities, that disappointment from this quarter's earnings could put further rises in check."
On the JSE, Anglo American was 40 cents softer at R328.10 and BHP Billiton eased 218 cents to R251.50. Sasol was R4 or 1.3 percent lower at R303.
Platinum miner Angloplat lost 8.oi9 or 1.13 percent to R789.01, Impala Platinum shed five rand or 2.25 percent to R217 and Lonmin declined R5.48 or 2.33 percent to 229.52.
Among gold miners, AngloGold Ashanti was off R6.05 or 2.04 percent at R291.20, Gold Fields shed R1.63 or 1.71 percent to R93.87 and Harmony was R1.90 or 2.59 percent lower at R71.39.
Highveld Steel was R3 or 3.7 percent better at R84, while ArcelorMittal collected 25 cents to R91.35.
Among industrials BAT was R2.16 firmer at R253 but Imperial was 150 cents or 1.46 percent weaker at R101.25 and Barloworld was 72 cents or 1.45 percent worse off at R48.78.
Among banks, Nedbank was 60 cents lower at R133.70 but Standard Bank collected 15 cents to R114.70.
Media group Naspers was down 51 cents at R310.99. - I-Net Bridge
