Rand falls to fresh lows

THE JSE closed firmer yesterday as higher gold stocks boosted overall sentiment with mining and industrial stocks leading.

At 5pm‚ the all-share index closed 0.68% higher at 51 547.40. The blue-chip top 40 added 0.76%.

The gold index was 1.93% firmer and resources added 1.08%. Industrials closed 0.72% firmer and financials rose 0.41%. The platinum index dropped 0.46%.

The rand touched its worst level against the dollar yesterday at R14.44/$ following Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris.

Its previous worst level against the dollar was R14.42 on Friday. At 5.44pm it recovered to R14.35/$ from R14.40/$ at the same time on Friday.

European equities and the euro fell against the dollar at the opening of the market‚ but retraced and stabilised by midday‚ Barclays said. — BDlive