JOHANNESBURG, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) closed higher on Friday in a session following the release of earnings results from a number of listed companies.
The top 40 index rose 0.95 percent, while the broader all share index added 0.96 percent to 58,715.46 point.
All major indices rallied, with the resources index advancing 0.29 percent, and the industrials index and financials index up 1.04 percent and 1.38 percent respectively.
Banks in particular are the best-performing sector on the local share market so far, this year advancing 9 percent, outdoing resources and industrials.
Markets breathed a sigh of relief this week when Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba announced a budget that many economists think will stabilize the country's finances.
Diversified miner Assore was up 4.8 percent to R325.56 and Anglo American dropped 0.62 percent to R287.22.
FirstRand rose 2.38 percent to R75.07, Barclays Africa 3.2 percent to R203.88 and RMB Holdings 3.63 percent to R88.89. Liberty gained 2.26 percent to R131.91.
Steinhoff rose 10.69 percent to R5.28 and Spar 4.87 percent to R221.12.
British American Tobacco rebounded 3.56 percent to R720 and Barloworld 2.13 percent to R182.18.
MTN Group rose 3.26 percent to R130.01 and EOH 15.14 percent to R73.4.
The South African rand was firmer against the U.S. dollar on Friday. At 5:15 p.m. the rand was at R11.59 to the dollar, up from R11.65.
Gold closed weaker, sliding to the day's low of 1,328.83 dollars an ounce.
Palladium traded at 1,047.01 dollars an ounce just after the close. Enditem
