Global stocks mixed ahead of US jobs data

Laura Curtis, Bloomberg, with Fin24

European stocks declined, US futures were steady and bonds were mostly in a holding pattern as investors await the key American jobs report. The dollar strengthened and crude oil fell.

The rand was trading 0.5% weaker against the dollar at 10:35, while the JSE All-Share fell by 0.25%. 

The Stoxx Europe 600 retreated at the end of a bullish week and the euro slipped after German factory orders came in far weaker than expected. S&P 500 index futures were flat along with shares across Asia, though benchmarks in Tokyo and China rose.

Australian equities advanced. The 10-year Treasury yield was steady near a two-and-a-half-year low. Gold slipped, though still headed for the longest stretch of weekly gains since 2011.

Royal Bafokeng Platinum slams allegations of fraud against its directors

Royal Bafokeng Platinum has hit back at allegations of unethical conduct by its directors.

The platinum miner on Thursday issued a notice to shareholders, shortly after markets closed, in response to a report by The Star that the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (Saica) is investigating six of Royal Bafokeng Platinum's (RBPlat) board members for allegedly trying to defraud a firm – Ithemba Consulting.