The JSE edged into the black by noon on Tuesday in what a local trader said was another firm day following the momentum of world markets.

By 12.04pm the JSE all share index had collected 0.59 percent, with resources up 0.96 percent. Gold miners weakened 0.35 percent while platinum counters gained 2.29 percent.

Banks were up 0.78 percent, financials collected 0.61 percent and industrials edged up 0.15 percent.

The rand was bid at 7.86 to the dollar from 7.93 when the JSE closed on Monday. Gold was quoted at $948.60/oz a troy ounce from $948.73/oz at the JSE's last close, and platinum was at $1177/oz, from $1180/oz at its previous close.

"It's yet another firm day. We are looking at the performance of world markets and we are continuing with our strength," the trader said.

"The rand is slightly weaker, but we still have got a lot of focus in the banking stocks. We are following the trend worldwide.

"Volumes are pretty light. As the day progresses we will keep our eyes on the US market. We have a lot of companies reporting there today and the focus will be on that performance.

"We will get direction this afternoon. The market will look at how these companies will perform and will take direction from there," she said.

Dow Jones Newswires reports that the FTSE 100 trades was up, creeping up further as upbeat sentiment continued to grow. Credit Suisse raising its end-of-year target for the S&P 500 certainly has a positive effect as does the expectation of further positive earnings news. Philip Gillet at IG Index said "if the current rally is going to run out of steam anywhere then this is as good a place as any, but so far the buyers still have the upper hand." Meanwhile Wm Morrison continued to lead the gainers, +8.9 percent after well-received 2Q results. The Fed Chairman's monetary policy testimony at 2pm GMT will be in focus.

The FTSE 100 was last up 0.66 percent.

US stocks are seen opening relatively flat on Tuesday, ahead of further earnings news said David Morrison at GFT.

He called DJIA down ten points and the S&P 500 down one point. The Federal Chairman's testimony on monetary policy at 2pm GMT will be in focus. "The markets are hoping for some reassurance that the economy is over the worst, and the Fed has a firm grip on its exit strategy from quantitative easing." Several earnings reports are due including from Apple, Coca-Cola and Caterpillar.