Stocks in South Africa Drop a 2nd Day, Led by Anglo American, BHP Billiton

South Africa’s FTSE/JSE Africa All Share Index retreated for a second day, losing 24.75, or less than 0.1 percent, to 32,012.31 at the 5 p.m. close in Johannesburg, paring its gain this year to 16 percent.

The following were among the most active stocks in the South African market today.

Anglo American Plc （AGL SJ）, the diversified mining company that makes up 10 percent of South Africa’s benchmark stock index, decreased for the third trading day, losing 1.01 rand, or 0.3 percent, to 340.99 rand. The rand strengthened to the strongest level in almost three years against the dollar, reducing mining companies’ export revenue. BHP Billiton Plc （BIL SJ）, the world’s largest mining company, fell for the fourth day, losing 51 cents, or 0.2 percent, to 267 rand. AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. （ANG SJ）, Africa’s largest producer of the metal, declined for the fourth day in five, weakening 1.30 rand, or 0.4 percent, to 325.50 rand. Anglo Platinum Ltd. （AMS SJ）, the world’s largest producer of the metal, dropped for the first time since Dec. 17, retreating 1.81 rand, or 0.3 percent, to 682.97 rand.

Sallies Ltd. （SAL SJ）, a South African fluorspar-mining company, rallied 3 cents, or 33 percent, to 12 cents. Maghreb Minerals Plc agreed to buy 66.9 percent of the company’s stock from Firebird Global Master Fund.

Uranium One Inc. （UUU SJ）, a producer of the fuel, weakened for the third day, losing 90 cents, or 2.8 percent, to 31.60 rand. The company said it has issued 178 million shares to JSC Atomredmetzoloto, in return for the latter’s 50 percent interest in the Akbastau Mine and 49.67 percent in the Zarechnoye Uranium Mine.