During Thursday's local trading session, the Top 40 index increased by 0.44%, while the Resources 10 sector decreased by 0.89%, the Financial 15 sector increased by 0.92%, and the Industrial 25 sector increased by 0.94%. The rand traded at R18.11 against the US Dollar, R22.22 against the Pound, and R19.59 against the Euro. Naspers' (JO:NPNJn) share price rose by 4.72% due to Tencent's (HK:0700) 11.38% increase this week. Northam Platinum (JO:NHMJ) released strong interim results this morning, with a 44.9% increase in sales revenue and a 55% increase in operating profit. However, the company's board of directors decided not to declare an interim dividend due to the company's critical juncture in pursuing its growth strategy.
Figure 1: Naspers' historical share price chart (Source: ThinkTrader Web)
In commodities, Brent Crude oil is trading at $75.27 a barrel, WTI Crude oil is trading at $70.18 a barrel, the Gold Spot price is currently trading at $1986.84, Platinum Spot is trading at $983.60, and the Palladium Spot price is at $1419.50.
Globally, the S&P 500 increased by 0.3%, Dow Jones increased by 0.23%, and the Nasdaq increased by 1.01%. The FTSE 100 decreased by 0.89%, the DAX decreased by 0.04%, and CAC40 increased by 0.11%. In the Asian markets, the Nikkei 225 is down by 0.17%, and the Hang Seng is up by 2.38%.
