Markets were uneasy on Wednesday with the JSE closing slightly higher and the rand fractionally weaker. Analysts said trade was lacking in conviction before US Federal Reserve chairwoman Janet Yellen’s speech later in the day, Thursday’s European Central Bank meeting and US president-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Friday. The JSE made slight gains with platinums, retailers, banks and property stocks performing best and other indices recording moderate gains. The market expects Yellen to confirm three interest-rate increases in the US this year, but no one really knows what Trump might do on taking office as arguably the most powerful man in the world. No surprises are expected from the ECB, which is likely to keep its monetary stimulus at current levels. The JSE all share closed 0.22% higher at 52,933.30 points and the blue-chip top 40 gained 0.15%. Food and drug retailers rose 0.88% and platinums 0.82%. General retailers rose 0.75%, banks 0.63% and property 0.55%. Nedbank sto...
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