Trading on the JSE eased on Tuesday, catching its breath after starting 2017 promisingly with a five-day run that delivered a hefty 4% gain on the all share. The stronger rand took shine off the bigger industrial stocks, as well as the diversified miners, leaving the all-share index 0.05% off at 52,917.50 points at lunchtime. Retail stocks came under renewed pressure after a disappointing trading update from Mr Price, a market favourite until recent months. Sales at the budget clothing retailer declined 0.5% decline to R6.1bn over the Christmas quarter. "We will keep a close watch on the retail sector," said Justine Louw, analyst at FNB Securities. Shoprite, due to release a trading update shortly, would give more guidance on trends. UK-focused stocks such as Capital & Counties, Brait and Intu were broadly steady as investors awaited British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit speech in the afternoon. Speculation is rife that May will favour a "hard Brexit" in which Britain sacrific...
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