Stocks rise with boost from lockdown easing

South Africa’s main stock index was 0.2% higher as of 9:32 a.m. in Johannesburg, boosted by shares in some companies that are set to benefit from an easing in the country’s Covid-19 lockdown.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, in a weekend address, announced that starting Tuesday restaurants and bars will be allowed to serve alcoholic beverages while retailers will be allowed such sales from Mondays to Thursdays.

British American Tobacco gained 0.5%. “Since the imposition of the sales ban, the whole market has shifted into illicit trade and there has been a price hike of 300%,” Morgan Stanley analysts said in a note. “We see the higher illicit prices as an opportunity for BAT to increase its brand subscribers.”

Wine and spirits maker Distell rose 3.1%. Tsogo Sun Hotels climbed 7.1% after Ramaphosa lifted the prohibition of inter-provincial travel. City Lodge Hotels advanced 6.4%, while Sun International rose 13%. Restaurant operator Spur climbed 1.9%.

Mining giants Anglo American (+0.7%) and BHP (+0.5%) were among the strongest contributors to the benchmark index amid hopes for economic stimulus in China.

Sasol tumbled as much as 9.6% after reporting an annual loss.

Foreigners were net sellers of South African equities for a fifth consecutive day on Friday, disposing of R656 million of shares, according to the JSE.

© 2020 Bloomberg