The JSE ended firmer on Thursday, snapping a five-day losing streak, as investors picked up beaten down shares following the recent selloff on euro area jitters.

The general mining counters led the rebound, which was boosted in part by improved global sentiment following the better than expected US jobless claims data.

"We weren't going to see the selloff continue into the lower basement. It's a recovery from the oversold basis," said Ian Cruickshanks, market watcher at Nedbank Capital.

At 17:00 local time, the JSE all-share index was up 1.30 percent to 33,869.71 points, with gold miners recovering 3.41 percent, platinum miners lifting 2.46 percent and resources garnering 2.23 percent.

Financials rose 1.48 percent, banking stocks regained 1.65 percent and industrials lifted 0.60 percent.

The rand was trading at 8.00 to the US dollar, from 8.02 at JSE's close on Wednesday. Gold was quoted at US$1,596.21 a troy ounce from US$1,587.37/oz at the JSE's previous close, while platinum was at $1,492.20/oz, from $1,489.70/oz at the previous session.

US stocks advanced on Thursday after a slightly better-than-expected reading from the jobs market and as investors watched Greece's third attempt to piece together a government, according to Dow Jones Newswires.

In economic news, initial jobless claims fell slightly more than expected, while a reading on the previous week was revised slightly higher.

European markets turned higher as investors expressed some optimism that Greece would resolve its political situation and after Spain moved to ease worries about its banking system.

On the JSE, Anglo American (AGL) gained R4.37, or 1.57 percent, to R283.01, BHP Billiton (BIL) lifted R4.84, or 2.03 percent, to R242.94 and Sasol (SOL) recovered R9.72, or 2.76 percent, to R362.

AngloGold Ashanti (ANG) rallied R9.55, or 3.64 percent, to R272, Gold Fields (GFI) gained added R3.39, or 3.30 percent, to R106 and Harmony Gold Mining (HAR) was up R2.42, or 3.24 percent, to R77.15.

Impala Platinum (IMP) climbed R4.65, or 3.32 percent, to R144.85 and Aquarius Platinum (AQP) garnered 45 cents, or 3.25 percent to R14.30.

Among other miners, Kumba Iron Ore (KIO) lifted R18, or 3.54 percent, to R527 and African Rainbow Minerals (ARI) was up R3.79, or 2.18 percent, to R178.

In industrials, Barloworld (BAW) was down R3.50, or 4 percent, to R84.

Among banks and financials, FirstRand (FSR) rallied 59 cents, or 2.30 percent, to R26.20, Old Mutual plc (OML) jumped 89 cents, or 4.84 percent, to R19.28. The company announced a strong performance in its first quarter, with funds under management increasing by GBP19.5 billion (7 percent) from December 31 2011 to GBP284.2 billion at March 31 2012.

Among retailers, Shoprite (SHP) rallied R3.14, or 2.40 percent, to R134.14.