Local markets

By noon on Tuesday, the JSE All Share had slipped 0.87% as investors took profits after the bourse’s recent rally. Losses were heaviest in the basic materials sector.

The rand was selling at R7.42 for a US dollar at midday, following in the wake of a weaker euro as traders also took profits.

Oil cost $79 a barrel, a slip of 0.05% after anticipation of an increase in US crude oil stockpiles and a slightly stronger dollar.

International markets

On US markets yesterday, the Dow Jones fell 0.13% while the Nasdaq rose 0.25%. Tech stocks climbed on gains led by Research in Motion and Cisco Systems.

Japan's Nikkei fell 0.17% this morning on profit taking, as investors reaped the benefits of the index’s six-week high reached yesterday.

The Hang Seng closed 0.05% up, recovering after initial losses as China Life gained on news that the company had predicted a sharp jump in profit.

Britain's FTSE 100 had lost 0.4% by midday, as mining shares came under pressure of lower metal prices, and banks fell on caution over the sector's funding position.

Share price news

Amalgamated Appliance Holdings Limited (share code: AMA) gained 6.25% after investors traded 3 282 509 shares in 123 deals, sending the share price up to R1.70 at midday.

Digicore Holdings Limited (DGC) gained 5% as shares rose to R3.15 each after 18 deals saw the exchange of 1 086 475 shares.

After 120 deals totaling 622 265 shares, Metorex Limited (MTX) lost 6.32% to sell at R4.45 a share.

After the company released its audited results and announced a proposed de-merger into two separate businesses, Liberty International PLC (LBT) fell 4.21% to R54.60 a share this morning, after 1 606 306 shares were traded in 1 045 deals.