ArcelorMittal, AngloGold, Sasol: South Africa Equity Preview

By Janice Kew

Oct. 28 (Bloomberg) — The following is a list of companies whose shares may have unusual price changes in South Africa. Stock symbols are in parentheses after company names and prices are from the last close.

South Africa’s FTSE/JSE Africa All Share Index fell for a fourth day, losing 95.43, or 0.5 percent, to 18,363.70. The measure has dropped 23 percent in October, the worst monthly performance since August 1998.

AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. (ANG SJ): Gold fell for the fifth time in six days in Asia as the U.S. dollar’s strength kept a lid on investor demand for the precious metal as an alternative asset. AngloGold, Africa’s largest mining company, climbed 4 rand, or 2.5 percent, to 164.

Ansys Ltd. (ANS SJ): The designer of transport and defense monitoring and control systems said it will post a loss per share of between 4.5 cents and 5.5 cents in the six months through August after delays in the start up of a “significant” number of their projects. Ansys slumped 17 cents, or 14 percent, to 1.08 rand.

ArcelorMittal South Africa Ltd. (ACL SJ): Africa’s biggest steelmaker said it will leave December prices unchanged after cutting them for two consecutive months. ArcelorMittal South Africa fell 7 rand, or 8.1 percent, to 79 rand.

Barloworld Ltd. (BAW SJ): Morgan Stanley rated the world’s largest forklift dealer as “equal-weight” in new coverage of the stock. Barloworld lost 1.90 rand, or 4 percent, to 46.

BHP Billiton Ltd. (BIL SJ): Copper fell below $4,000 a metric ton as the ongoing slump in stock markets increased concern a glob recession will sap demand. The metal used in wires and pipes plunged by the daily limit for a fifth day in Shanghai. BHP, the world’s largest mining company, rose 2.07 rand, or 1.4 percent, to 145.90.

Infrasors Ltd. (IRA SJ): The brick and sand producer said first-half earnings per share fell as much as 40 percent. Infrasors was unchanged at 1.90 rand.

Murray & Roberts Holdings Ltd. (MUR SJ): South Africa’s largest construction company by market value holds its annual general meeting in Johannesburg. Murray & Roberts was unchanged at 60 rand.

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