Still out there

The Gold miners were the party animals with Harmony (3.63%), Gold Fields (3.06%) and AngloGold Ashanti (3.04%) standing out.

The Efficient Group reports that the spirits of the gold miners were boosted by the higher gold price (0.39%), even though the currency remained unchanged. Oil (1.41%) climbed higher on Friday but is still below its highs.

US stocks moved higher lead by Exxon Mobil (3.00%) together with Chevron (2.80%) to boost the Dow Jones by 0.78%. Economic data due this week in the US will be the first to include data collected after hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast.

The DAX managed to break through the 5 000 level on Friday with Infineon Technologies (1.80%) being one of the drivers.

Markets in the Far East reacted very positively to the landslide victory of Prime Minister Koizumi in Japan this weekend. The victory indicates that the much needed structural reforms might come to fruition.

Trading on the JSE today is expected to be green, on the back of positive international markets.