The JSE closed lower on Wednesday as the market succumbed for the second successive session to a combination of lower commodity prices and economic growth concerns, with general retailers and platinums leading the losses. Statistics SA said on Tuesday that the economy grew a paltry 0.3% in 2016, with growth turning negative in the fourth quarter. Gold and resources stocks also closed lower on the day despite the rand pulling back 1% against the dollar ahead of an expected interest rate hike in the US next week. The rand was at R13.0879 against the dollar in late trade, from a previous close of R12.9738. Trading was cautious ahead of the release of US non-farm payroll data set to be released on Friday. The consensus view is that non-farm jobs increased 190,000 in February from 227,000 in the previous month. The all share closed 0.15% lower at 51,300 and the blue-chip top 40 softened 0.03%. General retailers shed 3.14% and platinums ended the day 2.78% lower. Resources shed 0.93% and ...
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