Aug 20, 2009

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 20 (Reuters) - The following company announcements, scheduled economic indicators, debt and currency market moves and political events may affect South African markets on Thursday.

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GLOBAL MARKETS

Chinese shares clawed back up on Thursday after a two-week sell-off, giving a boost to Asian stock indexes and commodities, but many investors were nervous that the Shanghai slide may have more room to run.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index .SSEC was up 1.5 percent, helped by reports that the stock regulator had approved new mutual funds this week to help underpin the market that has slid nearly 20 percent since hitting a 14-month high earlier in the month. [.SS] Japan's Nikkei average .N225 was up 0.7 percent, while the MSCI benchmark of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS gained 1 percent. [ID:nLK336095]

SOUTH AFRICAN MARKET

South Africa's rand fell slightly against the dollar on Wednesday but was off its day's low as risk aversion waned, while local stocks edged higher after a positive open on U.S. equities.

The JSE Top-40 index of blue chips .JTOPI rose 0.11 percent to 21,872.92 points and the broader All-share index lost 0.02 percent to 24,259.54 points. [ID:nLJ255599]

CIPLA MEDPRO SA LTD (CMPJ.J)

Cipla Medpro SA said on Thursday first half headline earnings per share rose 8 percent to 15.3 cents. It added that revenue increased 19.8 percent to 555.4 million for the six months to end-June. [ID:nWEA7172]

EXXARO RESOURCES (EXXJ.J)

South African diversified miner Exxaro (EXXJ.J) on Thursday reported an 8 percent rise in first-half headline earnings per share, but said that lower prices and a stronger rand would weigh on second-half figures. Earnings at the company's coal business were boosted by higher sales to utility Eskom [ESCJ.UL] and international clients, but were hit by lower prices and weaker demand from local consumers other than Eskom. [nLK497236]

GRINDROD (GNDJ.J)

Africa's biggest shipping company Grindrod (GNDJ.J) posted a 56 percent fall in first-half headline earnings per share as the global economic slowdown hit cargo volumes and rates. Grindrod, which drives more than 80 percent of its profit from shipping resources such as iron ore, coal and fuel, said on Thursday headline EPS for the six months to end-June fell to 105.7 cents, in line with its own forecast for a 50-60 percent fall. [nLJ657822]

GOLD XAU=

Gold was steady above $940 an ounce on Thursday, underpinned by light physical buying as investors eyed the currency market for clues on the precious metal's direction.

Spot gold XAU= stood at $941.90 an ounce at 0400 GMT, almost flat from New York's notional close of $941.55. It hit a three-week low below $930 per ounce on Monday. [GOL/]

WALL STREET

U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday, shaking off a slide in China's equity market, as investors responded favorably to a surprising drop in crude oil stockpiles that might suggest an improving demand outlook.

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI gained 61.22 points, or 0.66 percent, to end at 9,279.16. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX rose 6.79 points, or 0.69 percent, to 996.46. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC advanced 13.32 points, or 0.68 percent, to 1,969.24. [.N]

reuters