The JSE saw a flat start on Wednesday morning with little direction from eastern markets, with a trader noting that the bourse would have to wait for European markets to see any real moves.

At 09:20 the JSE all share index was flat, up 0.14 percent, with resources edging up 0.29 percent. Platinum and gold producers collected 0.80 percent and 0.53 percent respectively.

Banks were up 0.26 percent and financials inched up 0.10 percent, but industrials were flat, easing 0.01 percent.

The rand was bid at 7.44 to the dollar, from 7.45 when the JSE closed on Tuesday. Gold was quoted at $1140.82 a troy ounce from $1132.75 at the JSE's last close, and platinum was at $1450 an ounce, from $1454 at its previous close.

"We had a bit of a flattish start on the market this morning. The US did manage to recuperate some of its losses and end up. Eastern markets were initially up, but then gave back those gains," the trader said.

"We have already priced in those gains. US futures are slightly negative to flat at the moment. There is little direction. We will have to wait for the European markets to open before we can see any real moves," he said.

Dow Jones Newswire reported that another round of buying in commodities producers, including Exxon Mobil, helped the DJIA close higher for the ninth time in 10 sessions, though Home Depot and Target weighed on consumer stocks and kept the broader stock gains muted.

For Tuesday, the Dow closed up 30.46 points, or 0.29 percent, to 10437.42, marking another closing high for the year and its highest close since October 2 2008.

Helping the index was a round of buying in energy and materials firms after an uptick in commodities prices. In recent weeks, momentum traders have leaped into oil and metals, which has in turn pushed these two sectors higher. Gains have also been helped by some global economic data that hinted at rising demand for these products and heightened inflationary concerns.

Setting off Wednesday's session, traders will have a near real-time look at inflation, with the consumer price index for October set to be released in the morning.

"Gold and commodities do better than stocks, bonds and real estate in rising inflationary environments," said Gregg Fisher, president of GersteinFisher. "Though CPI is still a lagging indicator, however."

Asian share markets are mixed on Wednesday, as investors were uninspired by a small rise in US stocks on Tuesday.

Japan's Nikkei ended down 0.5 percent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng was last down 0.7 percent.

European bourses are called to open mostly higher, and commodities stocks may pace gainers on Wednesday.