Bonds ended sharply weaker yesterday with the yield of the R157 government bond at 8.64%. The JSE jumped by 3% yesterday. It was boosted by stronger overseas markets. The all share index closed 661 points higher at 22 710. Financials were 351 points firmer at 16 381 and industrials gained 455 points to 21 282. The gold board was 61 points up at 2 373 and the top 20 resources climbed 1 635 points to 41 398.

US stocks

US stocks rose overnight, the start of the third quarter, as reassuring manufacturing data from China, Europe and the United States reinforced hopes that the world's economy is on the road to recovery. The Dow Jones gained 57 points to 8 504. The Nasdaq Composite was 11 points up at 1 846. The S & P 500 advanced 4 points to 923.

European markets

European equities ended the first session of the quarter in positive territory, with strong metals prices boosting mining shares, while banks rose after slipping in four of the past seven days. London's FTSE 100 was 92 points firmer at 4 341. In Paris, the CAC 40 was up 77 points to 3 217. Frankfurt's DAX added 97 points to 4 905.

Asian markets

Markets in the Asia-Pacific region are stronger this morning. In Tokyo, the Nikkei is 11 points higher at 9 951. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index is up 215 points to 18 593. Sydney's ASX has gained 16 points to 3 890.

Platinum is trading at $1 191.50 cents an ounce and gold at $938.70 cents.

The spot price of Brent crude oil is $67.85 cents a barrel.