South African futures were higher on Monday as the JSE top 40 climbed to a record level, with Naspers surging to R4,000 a share and the Dow opening higher. European markets were also firmer on a weaker euro, as attempts by German Chancellor Angela Merkel to form a coalition government failed, possibly leading to another election for Europe’s strongest economy. The Dow was 0.30% up soon after the JSE’s close. The all share closed 0.62% higher at 60,500.60 points and the blue-chip top 40 rose 0.78%. The all share’s previous high was on November 7, when it reached 60,589.8 points. Merkel’s conservative alliance won the September election, but achieved its worst result since 1949, forcing the longtime German leader to try to cobble together a coalition in Parliament. That effort hit a roadblock late on Sunday after the chairperson of the small, pro-business Free Democratic Party ended talks with Merkel’s conservative camp and the centre-left Greens, Dow Jones Newswires reported. Despite...
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