The Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE) was deep in the red on Thursday after news of a foiled terrorist plot to blow up planes flying between Britain and the United States caused turbulence to the world market.

The all share index closed lower by 1.22 percent at 20,540.08. Resources retreated by 1.68 percent, the platinum mining index plunged by 4.65 percent and the gold mining index eased by 0.19 percent.

Industrials and financials fell by 0.72 percent and 1.04 percent respectively, but the banks index inched higher by 0.06 percent.

The rand was bid at 6.77 per U.S. dollar from 6.82 when the JSE closed on Tuesday, while gold was quoted at 640.95 dollars a troy ounce from 645.25 dollars at the JSE's last close.

On the all share index, 66 shares were down, 61 up and 35 unchanged. There were 27 decliners on the Top 40 index, 13 advancers while one counter closed flat.

Source: Xinhua