South African stocks eased a fraction in midday trade on Friday amid profit taking and weaker international markets.
At 12pm the JSE all share index had given up 0.47 percent, with resources shedding 1.23 percent, gold counters 1.74 percent lower and platinum miners dropping 1.77 percent. Banks declined 0.52 percent and financials lost 0.17 percent, but industrials gained 0.24 percent.
The rand was bid at R7.42/$ from R7.39/$ when the JSE closed on Thursday. Gold was quoted at $1 013.75/oz from $1 013.40/oz at the JSE's last close, and platinum was at $1 332.50/oz, from $1 333/oz at its previous close.
A local trader said: "We have had a good run of late and the market went hard yesterday ahead of futures close-out. I think there is also some profit taking in the market, and the rand has weakened, which may have some benefit on miners. We are also tracking weaker international markets."
Dow Jones Newswires reported that US stocks were expected to open slightly weaker on Friday after breaking a three-day winning streak in the previous session. David Morrison at GFT called the DJIA down 14 points at 9 770 and S&P 500 down 1.5 at 1064.
He noted in particular that the 'triple-witching' expiry on Friday could stoke increased volatility and an eccentric opening of US exchanges. "With a five-day holiday ahead in Japan and as we move to a new trading quarter, investors may take some money off the table and start to book profits." Dow front-month futures contract trades -0.3 percent at 9711 and S&P 500 futures contract trades -0.2 percent at 1060.4.
On the JSE, Anglo American Plc shed R4.28, or 1.66 percent, to R254 and BHP Billiton declined R2.18, or 1.01 percent, to R213.10.
Petrochemicals group Sasol garnered 61c to R301.11.
Kumba Iron Ore dropped R5.51, or 1.98 percent, to R272.49.
Among gold miners, AngloGold Ashanti moved R5.01, or 1.51 percent, lower to R327.25, Gold Fields weakened R2.54, or 2.35 percent, to R105.50 and Harmony fell R1, or 1.16 percent, to R85.50.
Platinum miner Anglo Platinum retreated R2.50 to R739, Impala Platinum was off R5.01, or 2.60 percent, to R187.99 and Lonmin was R6, or 2.76 percent, lower at R211.
In diversified miners, African Rainbow shed R2.80, or 1.69 percent, to R163 and Exxaro wavered R1.10, or 1.15 percent, to R94.40.
Elsewhere on the JSE, brewer SABMiller collected R2.63, or 1.41 percent, to R188.63, but Tiger Brands declined R1 to R156.23.
Banker Nedbank was 70c lower to R119.60, Investec Plc slipped 99c, or 1.80 percent, to R54, and Sanlam eased 39c, or 1.89 percent, to R20.99.
Among retailers, Lewis added R1.04, or 1.88 percent, to R56.25, Foschini profited R1.56, or 2.48 percent, to R64.59, and Truworths swelled 55c, or 1.34 percent, to R41.56.
Woolies dropped 54c, or 3.27 percent, to R15.96, but Shoprite picked up 76c, or 1.27 percent, to R60.76.
Construction group Aveng lost 66c, or 1.40 percent, to R46.34, Murray & Roberts subsided R1.95, or 2.95 percent, to R64.05, and Group Five was down R1.16, or 2.57 percent, to R44.04.
Telecommunications group MTN rose 69c to R128.49.
Media group Naspers N moved R6.64 lower, or 2.46 percent, to R258.96. - I-Net Bridge
