Sasol leads JSE losses with 6.5% dip

The JSE edged lower on Friday, amid a riskoff tone in global markets, with Sasol leading the losses.

The petrochemical company fell 6.5% to R384.78 after reporting that development costs at its Lake Charles project in the US had once again run over budget. It did, however, say it expected headline earnings per share (HEPS) for the six months to endDecember to rise by about 32%.

The all-share fell 1.2% to 53,244.2 points and the top-40 1.41%. The resources index gave up 1.97% and industrials 1.34%. Platinums added 1.82%.

Gold was up 0.35% at $1,314.62/oz and platinum 0.13% at $799.52. Brent crude was 0.36% higher at $61.82 a barrel.

The rand was at R13.63/$ on Sunday. Most analysts in a Reuters poll believe it could weaken to R14/$ in the coming months.