South African markets closed in the red yesterday, dragged down by losses in precious metal mining stocks. Platinum miners, Impala Platinum, Northam Platinum and Anglo American Platinum plunged 8.2%, 3.0% and 2.5%, respectively. Gold miners, Harmony Gold Mining, Sibanye Stillwater, AngloGold Ashanti and Gold Fields dropped 5.8%, 5.0%, 4.7% and 4.2%, respectively.
On the flipside, industrial equipment and services company, Barloworld jumped 10.3%, after the company released a cautionary announcement stating that it has entered into discussions, which, if concluded successfully, may have a material effect on the share price.
Pharmaceutical companies, Netcare and Aspen Pharmacare Holdings advanced 1.9% and 1.8%, respectively.