The JSE was off to a relatively weak start on Tuesday morning, de-coupling from other world markets that responded positively to easing geopolitical tension. The all share was down 0.39% to 56,511.30 points in early trade, as the measure of the top 40 leading companies shed 0.42%. Gold miners, in particular, bore the brunt of a weaker gold price as geopolitical tensions subsided and the rand strengthened slightly. The focus was increasingly on the US first-quarter corporate earnings, which have the potential to enliven price action in global markets. Momentum Securities analysts said in a note that the key was US companies delivering on the "lofty" expectations for the first-quarter earnings season. "For the moment, the market continues to reward risk assets as earnings have largely met expectations." European markets were mostly higher in mid-morning trade, despite a mixed session in Asia. Markets in general had a particularly rough time in April, hobbled in part by trade tariff co...
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