The JSE opened lower on Thursday, pausing in its long winning streak, as rand hedges dropped. The local currency was stronger following less hawkish sentiment among US Federal Reserve officials expressed in the September minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), released late on Wednesday. Platinum stocks were firm favourites at the JSE’s opening as the platinum price added 0.34% to $935.53 an ounce. The dollar weakened in overnight trade in response to the Fed minutes but was flat at $1.8640 to the euro in early trade on Thursday, while the rand hit a monthly best level of R13.4535 to the dollar. The Dow Jones industrial average closed 0.18% up at a record 22,872.89 on Wednesday. Asian markets were firmer on Thursday as the Nikkei 225 rose 0.35% and the Hang Seng 0.36%. Industrials and resources on the JSE opened weaker but retailers and banks found support from the stronger local currency. "The stronger rand trend was further supported this morning by the outcome of the...
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