South African stocks edged into the black in early trade on Friday, taking direction from international markets which reacted positively to employment data out of the US.

"However, there is still an element of volatility and cautiousness in the market," a local trader said.

At 9.28am the JSE all share index had collected 0.72 percent, with resources up 0.95 percent, gold miners edging 0.23 percent higher and platinum producers putting on 0.44 percent.

Banks advanced 0.55 percent, financials rose 0.61 percent and industrials strengthened 0.55 percent.

The rand was bid at 7.57 to the dollar from 7.60 when the JSE closed on Thursday. Gold was quoted at $1092.48 a troy ounce from $1090.15 at the JSE's last close, and platinum was at $1360 an ounce, from $1351.50 at its previous close.

"We have edged up this morning, international markets are higher and we are picking up nicely," the trader said.

"Asia was up this morning. Resources are giving us support. We have been sold off quite a few days and now buying is coming into the market. Some stocks are oversold at the moment.

"Some risk investors are coming into the market, however, markets are still cautious. It's highly likely that the close will different to the start. The market is volatile and it's difficult to say what will happen. We will have to eye the US for direction," she said.

Dow Jones Newswire reported that an improving sign in the labour market and rising October retail sales gave life to consumer stocks on Thursday, with Walt Disney and American Express leading the Dow Jones Industrial Average back above 10 000.

Technology was also strong, with Cisco posting a 19 percent decline in profits, but still coming in above Wall Street expectations. In addition, Chief Executive John Chambers provided upbeat remarks about the outlook for technology spending, which lifted tech across the board and sent Cisco (Nasdaq) up 64 cents, or 2.8 percent, to 23.93.

For the session, the DJIA closed up 203.82, or 2.08 percent, at 10 005.96, marking its biggest point gain since July 15. After ending October on a sour note, with the index pushing below 10 000 on October 26 and staying below that level since, the DJIA has now finished higher in three of the last four sessions.

For Thursday, all 30 of its components finished in the green, with those companies at least somewhat exposed to consumer spending trends leading the tape. Credit card giant American Express climbed 1.78, or 5 percent, to 37.74, while Walt Disney tacked on 97 cents, or 3.5 percent, to 29.

Filings for jobless benefits declined to their lowest level in 10 months last week ahead of a heavily watched October non-farm payrolls report due on Friday morning, helping stocks broadly. Consumer firms were also helped by a 1.8 percent gain for retail sales in October. Though that figure came in below expectations, some retailers did post margin improvements and lifted their third-quarter guidance.

Asian shares are broadly higher on Friday, taking their cue from Wall Street's strong performance overnight. Hopes that governments would remain committed to stimulus measures aided sentiment, amid some caution ahead of tonight's US non-farm payrolls data.

Japan's Nikkei ended up 0.7 percent.

European stock markets are seen starting mostly higher after modest gains on Thursday, as investors react to positive US employment data and upbeat comments from the European Central Bank on eurozone growth prospects.

On the JSE, Anglo American plc added 3.74 rand, or 1.27 percent, to 297.85 rand and BHP Billiton was up 2.37 rand, or 1.11 percent, to 215.26 rand.

Petrochemicals group Sasol gained 2.50 rand to 294 rand.

ArcelorMittal rose 1.45 rand, or 1.40 percent, to 105.25 rand and Kumba Iron Ore firmed 4.50 rand, or 2 percent, to 229.50 rand.

AngloGold Ashanti advanced 2.57 rand to 303.88 rand, but Gold Fields was 34 cents weaker at 103.76 rand and Harmony eased 29 cents to 79.70 rand.

Platinum miner Anglo Platinum firmed 5.67 rand to 678 rand, Impala Platinum collected 76 cents to 171.36 rand and Lonmin added 1.50 rand to 196.50 rand.

In diversified miners, African Rainbow moved 2.38 rand, or 1.56 percent, higher to 155.25 rand and Exxaro put on 1.16 rand, or 1.36 percent, to 86.31 rand.

Elsewhere on the JSE, SABMiller strengthened 1.49 rand to 207 rand and Barloworld collected 50 cents, or 1.01 percent, to 50.20 rand.

Banker Nedbank was up 1.03 rand to 115.50 rand and Absa added 1.50 rand, or 1.25 percent, to 121.50 rand.

Financial services group Old Mutual rose 19 cents, or 1.40 percent, to 13.80 rand.

Media group Naspers firmed 3.50 rand, or 1.25 percent, to 282.50 rand.

Retailer Spar collected 75 cents, or 1.16 percent, to 65.35 rand and Foschini was up 77 cents, or 1.36 percent, to 57.35 rand, but Clicks weakened 39 cents, or 1.59 percent, to 24.09 rand.

Construction group Aveng was up 54 cents, or 1.36 percent, to 40.14 rand.

Among telecommunications groups, MTN Group rose 76 cents to 116.61 rand and Vodacom edged up 20 cents to 52.85 rand, but Telkom was off 40 cents to 42.10 rand.