The JSE ignored a firmer opening on Wall Street and closed in the red on Thursday with gold stocks and resources leading the downside after being pressured by the stronger local currency.

By 5pm the all share index had lost 1.67 percent, with resources giving up 5.14 percent, gold miners shed 8.23 percent but platinum stocks were flat (up 0.04 percent). Banks firmed 4.04 percent, financials were up 1.40 percent and industrials added 0.92 percent.

The rand was last bid at 9.78 to the dollar from 9.89 when the JSE closed on Wednesday, while gold was last quoted at $854.28 a troy ounce from $866.58 at the JSE's last close.

The platinum price was at $861/oz from its previous close of $860 and Brent crude was at $45.12 per barrel from $45.53 before.

"It's the gold stocks and resources leading the downside today," an equities trader said.

"Metal prices have come off slightly and the rand is stronger. That is what is putting these metals under pressure," he said.

"Banks are up nicely. There is probably some short covering there," he said.

"The bond yields also dropped today and that is perhaps what is sparking interest rate sensitive stocks," he added.

Dow Jones Newswires reports that US stocks opened higher.

The DJIA was last up 0.15 percent.

On the JSE, Anglo American fell 5.82 percent to 235 rand and BHP Billiton gave up 5.46 percent to 184.37 rand. BHP Billiton's chairman, Don Argus, said earlier that BHP Billiton, as a standalone company, is in a strong financial and operating position.

Referring to the decision not to proceed with the acquisition of Rio Tinto, Argus said it was a difficult decision, but one he believes is right for BHP Billiton shareholders. Argus added that BHP Billiton has a portfolio of long-life, low-cost, expandable, tier one assets.

Petrochemicals group Sasol shed 4.40 percent to 284.90 rand.

Paper group Sappi was up 7.58 percent to 35.50 rand and Mondi added 7.25 percent to 37 rand.

Highveld Steel firmed 1.29 percent to 56.72 rand but Kumba Iron Ore gave up 2.68 percent to 163.50 rand.

ArcelorMittal was up 51 cents to 81.50 rand. The group withdrew a cautionary shortly before market close, later confirming that it had terminated talks regarding a BEE transaction.

Among gold miners, AngloGold Ashanti weakened 8.06 percent to 248.25 rand, Gold Fields was down 9.79 percent to 86.92 rand and Harmony shed 6.88 percent to 94.99 rand.

Platinum miner Anglo Platinum was unchanged at 510 rand, while Lonmin firmed 1.79 percent to 113 rand.

Elsewhere on the JSE, SABMiller eased 93 cents to 176.82 rand, Tiger Brands gave up 1.97 percent to 149 rand and Barloworld was down 7.62 percent to 41.11 rand.

However Remgro added 3.20 percent to 77.40 rand.

Banker Standard Bank gained 3.80 percent to 90.50 rand, Absa was up 2.93 percent to 114 rand and FirstRand collected 5.96 percent to 16.90 rand.

Financial services group Old Mutual lost 4.84 percent to 7.47 rand and Investec shed 1.61 percent to 43.88 rand.

However RMB Holdings was up 6.11 percent to 26.74 rand.

Retailer JD Group gained 5.19 percent to 35.50 rand, Shoprite firmed 3.86 percent to 52.97 rand and Steinhoff added 5.04 percent to 12.50 rand.

Nu Clicks was up 2.54 percent to 15.75 rand. The group earlier announced that that all conditions precedent to it acquiring a 60 percent stake in leading courier pharmacy business Direct Medicines, including the approval of the competition authorities, have been met and the transaction is now unconditional.

Construction group Aveng was up 9.65 percent to 29.20 rand. It was announced that ratings agency Fitch Ratings revised Aveng Limited's Outlook for its National Long-term rating to Stable from Positive and affirmed its National Long-term rating at 'A(zaf)' and National Short-term rating at "F1(zaf)".

Group Five collected 4.78 percent to 35.50 rand and Murray & Roberts gained 4.92 percent to 47.37 rand.

Among telecommunications groups MTN Group gained 1.40 percent to 105.56 rand but Telkom lost 2.25 percent to 108.50 rand.

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