The JSE bounced back in afternoon trade on Friday, snapping a three-day losing streak in a week that was dominated by the Libyan crisis, which put selling pressure on riskier assets like equities.
The market experienced a good rebound in the afternoon session on the back of a combination of bottom fishing, short-covering and quietness regarding the tension in Libya, said Mpho Mojalefa, trader at BJM Private Client Services.
At the close, the JSE all-share index was up 0.82 percent, with banks jumping 2.10 percent, financials firming 1.48 percent and industrials rising 1.25 percent. But gold counters fell 1.43 percent, while platinum miners (-0.06 percent) and resources (0.11 percent) were flat.
The rand was bid at 6.99 to the dollar from 7.06 at the JSE's close on Thursday. Gold was quoted at US$1,402.23 a troy ounce from US$1,413.86/oz at the JSE's previous close, while platinum was at $1,786.00/oz from $1,777.50/oz before.
An equity strategist said earlier that the London Stock Exchange (LSE) had temporarily shut down due to a technical glitch, leading to extremely thin volumes on the JSE.
A number of JSE-listed companies, such as Anglo American (AGL) and BHP Billiton (BIL), are also quoted on the LSE, which normally sets the tone for the dual-listed domestic counters.
After trading commenced on the LSE, dual-listed counters like Anglo American (AGL) rose.
Dow Jones Newswires reported that US stocks opened higher on Friday after three straight days of losses as oil prices stabilised and Boeing led gains among blue-chip stocks.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 43 points, or 0.4 percent, to 12,113.
Helping to snap the market's three straight sessions of losses, crude-oil futures stabilised as fears eased over supply shortages from a disruption to Libyan crude exports. A pledge over emergency oil stockpiles from the International Energy Agency and promises from other oil-providing nations also helped ease tensions over the turmoil in Libya. Crude-oil prices hovered around $97 a barrel, while gold futures declined.
On the JSE, Anglo American (AGL) rose 2.95 rand to 368.50 rand, BHP Billiton (BIL) was up 32 cents to 273.19 rand and Sasol (SOL) gained 1.06 rand to 382.31 rand.
Among gold miners, Anglogold Ashanti (ANG) slid 5.32 rand or 1.55 percent to 338.45 rand, Gold Fields (GFI) fell 1.84 rand or 1.49 percent to 122.01 rand and DRDGold (DRD) slumped 11 cents or 3.24 percent to 3.29 rand.
Junior miner Gold One International (GDO) was flat at 2.45 rand. The group said on Friday that it had finalised the structure of new company Goliath Gold Mining's intended board.
White Water Resources shareholders are expected to vote to approve the creation of Goliath Gold Mining in March.
Angloplat (AMS) advanced 10.00 rand or 1.49 percent to 680.00 rand, and Lonmin (LON) rose 4.01 rand or 2 percent to 205.00 rand.
Diversified miner African Rainbow (ARI) collected 4.34 rand or 2.10 percent to 211.00 rand and Exxaro (EXX) gained 1.75 rand or 1.19 percent to 149.25 rand.
Steel maker ArcelorMittal (ACL) picked up 1.70 rand or 1.94 percent to 89.30 rand and Kumba Iron Ore (KIO) firmed 7.99 rand or 1.74 percent to 467.00 rand.
In the industrial sector, British American Tobacco (BTI) rose 2.83 rand or 1.04 percent to 275.75 rand, SABMiller (SAB) was 2.49 rand or 1.08 percent higher at 233.49 rand and Bidvest (BVT) jumped 3.25 rand or 2.11 percent to 157.00 rand.
Telecommunications group Telkom (TKG) gained 50 cents or 1.45 percent to 35.01 rand.
Mobile phone operator Vodacom (VOD) climbed 2.02 rand 0r 2.82 percent to 73.59 rand.
Banking group ABSA (ASA) inched up 4.40 rand or 3.51 percent to 129.65 rand, FirstRand (FSR) firmed 50 cents or 2.63 percent to 19.51 rand, and Nedbank (NED) added 2.77 rand or 2.21 percent to 128.02 rand.
Financial services group Sanlam (SLM) picked up 58 cents or 2.19 percent to 27.10 rand.
Retailer JD Group (JDG) rose 1.52 rand or 3.04 percent to 51.50 rand, Woolies (WHL) collected 83 cents or 3.32 percent to 25.83 rand, and Mr Price (MPC) edged up 1.64 rand or 2.83 percent to 59.53 rand.
Media giant Naspers (NPN) rose 8.98 rand or 2.33 percent to 394.98 rand.
Construction firm Group Five (GRF) fell 44 cents or 1.52 percent to 28.57 rand.
ICT company Datatec (DTC) gained 87 cents or 2.56 percent to 34.87 rand.
Trans Hex (TSX) plummeted 34 cents or 11.97 percent to 2.50 rand.
