Johannesburg - Stocks climbed slightly on Thursday, led by gains from retailer Massmart, which said it planned to increase its stores outside its home market by more than a quarter in the next two years.
The benchmark JSE Top40 index was lifted 0.07 percent to 45105.98 points, while the broader all share advanced 0.18 percent to 52183.1 points.
Massmart jumped 10.28 percent to R145.25 after it posted a 9percent rise in full year profit and said it would increase its stores outside South Africa by more than a quarter in the next two years.
“I suspect that you are starting to see a shift in mix between the structurally challenged wholesale business and the fast growing food retail stores which is aiding profitability,” Investec Asset Management analyst, Unathi Loos, said.
Bid Corporation soared 11.12 percent to R257.25 after reporting a 21 percent jump in half-year profit and a $1.2 billion (R15.7 billion) war-chest for acquisitions.
Sibanye Gold rose 1.96 percent to R28.61 after it posted an almost tripling of annual earnings and kept the dividends flowing as the company signalled it would reassess its capex plans after an acquisition spree.
Impala Platinum lost 4.63 percent to end the session at R47.