The JSE closed weaker on Friday in thin trade as global risk-off trade dominated sentiment amid doubts if President Donald Trump’s crucial healthcare bill would be passed. Markets are on edge as the bill is the first of a number of economic plans unveiled by Trump, including tax reform and fiscal stimulus, which are keeping US markets at elevated levels. The US House of Representatives is due to vote on the bill later in the evening, after the vote was postponed on Thursday after failing to find enough support from Republicans to pass it. The Dow has not closed in positive territory for the past six sessions after reaching a high of 21,169.11 on March 1. The firmer rand hampered further appreciation among rand hedges and mining stocks, with platinum stocks leading the losses in the mining sector. The rand hit a fresh 20-month best level of R12.4369 against the dollar in late afternoon trade. Next week’s market focus will be on Thursday’s monetary policy committee (MPC) announcement ...
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