MARKET WRAP: JSE firmer on prospect of cooling US inflation

The JSE firmed in line with global peers on Wednesday, with investors focused firmly on Thursday’s US inflation report, which many expect to be positive.

The JSE and rand held steady for most of the session with the benchmark all share index touching a record high of 78.925 points in intraday trade. It ended the session 0.67% higher at 78,522 points — the heavyweight top 40 added 0.77% — boosted by industrial metals (1.3%), industrials (1.1%) and resources (0.9%). Food producers, banks and financials were lower, easing 1.07%, 0.53% and 0.4%, respectively…