The JSE opened in positive territory on Thursday on broad-based gains, led by miners, with retailers and banks rising on a firmer rand as the dollar weakened to above $1.14 to the euro. The rand firmed to R12.8648 to the dollar in early morning trade before weakening again. The weaker greenback boosted US stocks on Wednesday, with the Dow climbing 0.68% to 21,454.61 points. Asian markets were higher in response, with the Nikkei 225 adding 0.45% and the Hang Seng 1.05%. Platinum shares were also firm favourites on Thursday on a marginally higher metal price, which rose 0.24% to $922.98 an ounce. Local retailers were sold off heavily on Wednesday as risk-off sentiment reigned, but rebounded on Thursday morning amid predictions that the Reserve Bank would cut rates before the end of the 2017. Cooling inflation and weaker-than-expected growth would result in the Reserve Bank beginning monetary easing in the second half of 2017, BMI Research analysts said. However, with an uncertain poli...
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