Economic data has taken a back seat, although US retail sales data at 3:30pm will get some attention.
The local corporate calendar is somewhat busy. Investec gained 0.85% to R92.78, after earlier declaring an interim dividend of 11 UK pence for the six months to end-September, a slight increase from the prior period’s 10.5p.
Mediclinic fell 0.95% to R66.01 having earlier left its dividend for the year to end-September unchanged at 3.2p, reporting that during the period it fell 1% in pound terms, but rose 2% when adjusted for rand depreciation.
Sappi fell 0.2% to R80.88, after reporting earlier that profit for the year to end-September fell to $323m from the prior period’s $338m. The paper and pulp producer, however, upped its dividend to 17c from the prior period’s 15c.
Rand hedge AB InBev gained 0.92% to R1,077.37, while British American Tobacco edged 1.45% lower to R524.94.
Sibanye-Stillwater firmed 4.05% to R8.74, as the company continues to grapple with competition authorities over its takeover of Lonmin.