Feb. 21 (Bloomberg) -- The FTSE/JSE Africa All Share Index
advanced for a third day, rising 0.1 percent to 34,142.37 by the close
in Johannesburg.
The following were among the most active equities in the South African market today. Stock symbols follow company names.
Anglo American Plc (AGL SJ), a diversified miner that makes up
about 9 percent of the index, climbed for the second time in three days,
adding 1.3 percent to 329.56 rand. Copper rose in New York, heading for
the highest in more than two weeks, after a second bailout for Greece
reduced concern the euro-region debt crisis might crimp growth and
metals demand.
BHP Billiton Ltd. (BIL SJ), the world’s biggest miner, increassed 0.7 percent to 253.69 rand.
Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd. (APN SJ), the largest maker of
generic medicines in the southern hemisphere, edged up for the first
time in three days, rising 1.5 percent to 105.21 rand. Fiscal first-half
earnings per share rose 24 percent to 30 percent compared with a year
earlier, the company said in a trading statement.
DigiCore Holdings Ltd. (DGC SJ), a company that makes
vehicle-tracking devices, added 5.2 percent to 3.05 rand, its first gain
in 11 days. Profit increased 4.9 percent in the six months through
December, the company said in a regulatory filing today.
Gijima Group Ltd. (GIJ SJ), a South African computer- services
company, rallied to its highest in almost two weeks, rising 3.6 percent
to 57 cents. The company returned to profit in the first half, it said
in a regulatory filing.
Litha Healthcare Group
Ltd. (LHG SJ), a pharmaceutical developer and wholesaler, advanced to
the highest since its 2006 listing, jumping 6.2 percent to 3.10 rand.
The company agreed to buy Pharmaplan Proprietary Ltd. from
Montreal-based Paladin Labs Inc. Separately, Litha said earnings per
share in the year ended Dec. 31 rose 20 percent to 40 percent.
Metair Investments Ltd. (MTA SJ), a company that makes motor
vehicle components, increased to the highest level on record, rising 5
percent to 21.70 rand. Earnings per share for the year through December
probably increased at least 20 percent, the company said in a trading
statement.
MMI Holdings Ltd. (MMI SJ), the
South African insurance company that was created last year from the
merger of Metropolitan Group Ltd. and Momentum Group Ltd., closed at its
lowest in more than two weeks, dropping 0.8 percent to 18.98 rand. The
stock was cut to “underperform” from “neutral” at Credit Suisse AG, with
a 19 rand price estimate.
Shoprite Holdings
Ltd. (SHP SJ), South Africa’s largest retailer by market value, closed
at its highest in more than a month, up 1.4 percent to 134.50 rand. Net
income advanced to 1.4 billion rand ($183 million), or 2.80 rand a
share, in the six months ended Dec. 31, from 1.2 billion rand, or 2.34
rand a share, a year earlier, the Cape Town-based company said today in a
stock-exchange statement.
Super Group Ltd.
(SPG SJ), a logistics company, surged to its highest in more than three
years, advancing 12 percent to 13.30 rand after saying earnings
excluding one-time items climbed 63 percent to 244 million rand in the
first half.
