The JSE managed to close firmer on Friday despite earlier declines as it surged on the back of gains in the resources index.

The local bourse got off to a slow start as it retreated marginally in earlier trading before it found momentum towards the afternoon session.

Trading in Asia was mixed earlier on as the Shanghai Composite Index fell 1.02%, while the Nikkei and Hang Seng inched up 0.32% and 0.48% respectively.

Stocks in Europe also tracked higher as there wasn't much deviation to the trade talks headlines that were released in the prior session.

The momentum in Europe held despite mostly lower than expected manufacturing and services PMI readings for most members of the bloc.

The rand strengthened against the greenback as it peaked at a session high of R14.59/$. However, the local unit relinquished most of these gains as it was recorded trading 0.04% firmer at R14.67/$ at 17:00.

SARB keeps rates unchanged as JSE closes softer

Index heavyweight Naspers [JSE:NPN] was buoyed by the release of its interim results which saw the stock gain 1.18% to close at R2233.15.

Diversified mining giant Anglo American PLC [JSE:AGL] rose 2.46% as it closed at R389.08, while its sector peer BHP Group [JSE:BHP] advanced 2.24% to close at R322.56.

Commodity trading giant Glencore [JSE:GLN] surged 2.61% to close at R46.86, while Kumba Iron Ore [JSE:KIO] added 1.85% to close at R381.93.

Telkom [JSE:TKG] found some reprieve as it gained 3.56% to close at R48.00, while Brait [JSE:BAT] managed to add 1.58% as it closed at R16.11.

Other significant gainers on the day included Exxaro Resources [JSE:EXX] which added 2.74% to close at R133.66, Mondi PLC [JSE:MNP] gained 1.41% to close at R316.11, and Sasol [JSE:SOL] which closed at R282.62 after rising 2.04%.

Tharisa PLC [JSE:THA] came under pressure following the release of its full-year trading statement which showed significant declines in earnings.

The stock lost 21.91% to close at R15.22. Tiger Brands [JSE:TBS] reported lower headline earnings in its full-year results which saw the stock fall 6.56% to close at R216.99.

Gold miners also struggled on the day as losses were recorded for Harmony Gold [JSE:HAR] which lost 6.19% to close at R46.97, while Gold Fields [JSE:GFI] dropped 3.31% to end the day at R77.68.

Retailers came under pressure with declines being recorded for Massmart [JSE:MSM] which fell 2.07% to close at R44.01, Pick n Pay [JSE:PIK] which lost 1.5% to close at R68.78, and Mr Price [JSE:MRP] closed at R179.74 after losing 2.05%.

JSE softer as inflation falls to lowest level in 8 years

The JSE All-Share index eventually closed 0.14% firmer while the JSE Top-40 index added 0.5%.

The Resources index recorded most of the day's gains as it closed 1.49% higher.

The Industrials and Financials indices lost 0.1% and 0.62% respectively.

At 17:00, gold was 0.06% firmer at $1465.04/oz, palladium was 0.5% firmer at $1769.15/oz, and platinum had surged 1.81% to trade at $899.25/oz.

Brent crude surged above $64/barrel in today's session before it was recorded trading 0.14% firmer at $64.06/barrel just after the JSE close.