The JSE remained in the red at noon amid thin volumes, with no economic data in focus and the US market closed for a public holiday, local traders said.
By 12.05pm local time the JSE all share index was down 0.39 percent, with resources off 0.99 percent, but gold miners eked out 0.21 percent while platinum miners were off 0.46 percent. Banks were down 0.47 percent, and financials shed 0.41 percent, while industrials were down 0.21 percent.
The rand was bid at R7.72/$, from R7.73/$ at the JSE's last close. Gold was quoted at $1 210.11 a troy ounce from at $1 205.96/oz at the JSE's previous close, while platinum was at $1 509.00/oz from $1 499.50/oz at the JSE's last close.
Jiulio Frigenti, an equity trader from Investec, said the local bourse was lacking direction, with traders unwilling to take big positions with the US market closed in recognition of the Independence Day holiday.
"We have seen lower volumes today in the market, with no economic data in prospect and the US market closed."
Dow Jones Newswires reports that in Asia, shares were mixed on Monday with most markets in tight ranges, as weakness in Chinese equities weighed on broader sentiment across the region.
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 ended down 0.3 percent, China's Shanghai Composite Index was 1.0 percent lower and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 0.3 percent. Japan's Nikkei Stock Average rose 0.7 percent and South Korea's Kospi Composite was up 0.2 percent.
European stock markets were flat on Monday, unable to make headway as fears about global growth prospects continued to dent sentiment, prompting market participants to flee into safer assets such as government bonds.
The downside risks to growth have risen appreciably of late due to a significant deterioration of financial conditions stemming from growing concerns about sovereign risk and the fragility of the banking sector in Europe, said Deutsche Bank.
London's FTSE 100 index was down 0.1 percent at 4 834.77, Frankfurt's DAX index was up 0.2 percent at 5 845.00, and Paris's CAC-40 index was flat at 3 348.35.
On the JSE, Anglo declined R3.95 or 1.46 percent to R266.55, and Sasol shed R1.54 to R275.21. BHP Billiton slid R3 to R198.70.
Platinum miner Anglo Platinum was R1.64 higher at R725.24, and Northam Platinum lost R1.30 or 2.80 percent to R45.10. Impala Platinum shed R1.34 to R184. Aquarius was one rand or 2.63 percent weaker at R37.00. But Wesizwe gained 10 cents or 5.56 percent to R190.
Among gold miners, AngloGold Ashanti lost R1.50 to R317.50, but Goldfields gained R1.21 or 1.20 percent to R101.75.
Harmony eked out 55 cents to R80.55, Randgold was 30 cents or 6.00 percent stronger at R5.30.
Assore plummeted R25.06 or 3.46 percent to R699.94, while Kumba was off 45 cents to R318.05, Exxaro slid R2.38 or 2.17 percent to R107.19.
Among industrials, BAT added R1.45 to R248.99, while SABMiller rose R1.01 to R215.71. Media giant Naspers gained R4.90 or 1.94 percent to R257.90.
Telecommunications group MTN lost 54 cents to R102.36.
In the banking sector, Nedbank shed 53 cents to R122.27, but Standard Bank gained five cents to R103.30, with ABSA 93 cents softer at R121.66. - I-Net Bridge
