The JSE was flat in early trade on Tuesday on the back of weaker Asian markets in what a local trader said was likely to be a choppy session.

At 9.17am the JSE all share index was flat, down 0.01 percent, as were resources, up 0.04 percent. Platinum and gold producers collected 0.23 percent and 0.25 percent respectively.

Banks weakened 0.22 percent, financials were flat, down 0.02 percent and industrials eased 0.13 percent.

The rand was bid at 7.37 to the dollar, from 7.33 when the JSE closed on Monday. Gold was quoted at $1136.57 a troy ounce from $1132.85 at the JSE's last close, and platinum was at $1439.50/oz, from $1448.50/oz at its previous close.

"We are pretty much flat this morning. The dollar is relatively weak and these commodity prices are holding on. The yen strengthened this morning against the dollar and that put their exports under pressure, and that is why the eastern markets were lower.

"I think we can expect this. We have had a good two weeks and we can expect to see some profit taking. No one knows which way the market will go. I think it will be a choppy day," he said.

"I don't think the MPC will have an impact on the market if there are no surprises," he added.

The SA Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee announces its interest rate decision at 3pm.

Dow Jones Newswire reported that a robust sign of economic growth in Asia sparked a rally for commodities prices and stocks, with Exxon Mobil, Alcoa and other energy and materials firms pacing all three major indexes to new closing highs on the year.

For Monday, the DJIA closed up 136.49 points, or 1.33 percent, to 10406.96. Within the index, 26 of its 30 components finished in the green as the Dow closed higher for the eighth time in nine sessions.

The S&P 500 tacked on 15.82, or 1.45 percent, to 1109.30, with the Dow and S&P 500 both marking their highest closes since Oct. 2, 2008.

Gains on the session were lead by energy and materials firm, with Exxon Mobil up 1.96, or 2.7 percent, to 74.43, and Alcoa gaining 43 cents, or 3.3 percent, to 13.61.

Both sectors were helped by a report from Japan's government that said the nation's gross domestic product grew better than expectations last quarter. Following the report, commodities prices climbed higher around the globe, while the dollar moved lower against both the yen and the euro, with the U.S. dollar index hitting a fresh 15-month low.

Most Asian share markets are slightly lower on Tuesday, with some broad fatigue setting in after recent gains.

Japan's Nikkei ended off 0.6 percent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng was last down 0.4 percent.

European bourses are due to pause their rally with markets expected to start a bit lower on profit taking in financials and materials stocks.