mineral exploration project – commodity prices – mining stock- trade and market

South Africa’s main stock index advanced to highest close in a month after Morgan Stanley recommended investors add to holdings of the country’s equities on company valuations and a weaker rand.

BHP Billiton Ltd., the world’s biggest mining company, and Anglo American Plc, the diversified mining company which accounts for more than 10 percent of the South African benchmark by weighting, led the gain.

China’s preliminary November trade data are painting a supportive picture for Australian iron ore and coal exports. Iron ore import flows are back to the long-term growth trend, while China’s coal exports were down 30% month on month and are down 47% year on year, with export tonnage being diverted into China’s strengthening domestic market.

South Africa’s FTSE/JSE Africa All Share Index fell for the first time in four days, sliding 177.53, or 0.7 percent, to 25,878.88 at 2:07 p.m. in Johannesburg.

The following are among the most active stocks in the South African market today.

Anglo American Plc (AGL SJ) fell 6.45 rand, or 2.4 percent, to 260.40 rand after Xstrata Plc dropped a proposed 29.6 billion-pound ($48...

Stock market developments during the week focus on increasing sales of gold mining company stock. Stock of mining companies increased to reach record highs, but the dollar weakened. Gold miners in South Africa reported an increase in reserves of mineral resources which ends June 30. Increase supply of mineral resources rose to 271.1 million ounces versus 250.6 million ounces from the previous year.

Gold producers and mining companies led stocks rise in sales in South Africa stock market, until the fourth day. Bloomberg reported that overall sales increased 308.26, or 1.2 percent. Mining company and a leading producer of gold sales increase include : AngloGold Ashanti Ltd, Gold Fields Ltd.., Harmony Gold Mining Co.

South Africa’s FTSE/JSE Africa All Share Index rose 89.27, or 0.4 percent, to 24,609.03 by 12:40 p.m. in Johannesburg.

The following are among the most active stocks in the South African market today.

Anglo American Plc (AGL SJ), the diversified mining company that makes up almost 10 percent of South Africa’s benchmark stock index, climbed 3.94 rand, or 1.7 percent, to 233.50 rand. Baosteel Group Corp. offered 1 billion pounds ($1.6 billion) for a 30 percent stake in Anglo American’s Minas Rio iron-ore mine in Brazil, the London-based Observer reported, without saying where...

The UK’s blue chip index was fluctuating around the opening level today as energy and financial sector were mixed, while miners were strong, helped by increases in metals prices. The market failed to get much of a boost from the Markit Purchasing Managers’ Index, which rose at the strongest pace in two years in September, improving to 55.3 from 54.1, which was also higher than the expected 54.4. The FTSE 100 finished about 20 points higher, getting buoyed by an early rise on Wall Street, where the Dow Jones industrial average tacked on 0.7% shortly after trading commenced.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index fell 2.1 percent to 4,601.70 at the close in Sydney. New Zealand’s NZX 50 Index declined 1.1 percent to 3,148.86 in Wellington.

The following are among the most active shares in the market. Stock symbols are in parentheses after company names.