South Africa\u2019s main stock index was 0.2% higher as of 09h32 in Johannesburg, boosted by shares in some companies that are set to benefit from an easing in the country\u2019s Covid-19 lockdown.<\/p>\n
President Cyril Ramaphosa, in a weekend address, announced that starting Tuesday restaurants and bars will be allowed to serve alcoholic beverages while retailers will be allowed such sales from Mondays to Thursdays.<\/p>\n
British American Tobacco Plc gained 0.5%. \u201cSince the imposition of the sales ban, the whole market has shifted into illicit trade and there has been a price hike of 300%,\u201d Morgan Stanley\u00a0analysts said<\/span>\u00a0in a note. \u201cWe see the higher illicit prices as an opportunity for BAT to increase its brand subscribers.\u201d<\/p>\n Wine and spirits maker Distell Group Holdings Ltd. rose 3.1%. Tsogo Sun Hotels Ltd. climbed 7.1% after Ramaphosa lifted the prohibition of inter-provincial travel. City Lodge Hotels Ltd. advanced 6.4%, while Sun International Ltd. rose 13%. Restaurant operator Spur Corp. climbed 1.9%.<\/p>\n Mining giants Anglo American Plc (+0.7%) and BHP Group Plc (+0.5%) were among the strongest contributors to the benchmark index amid hopes for economic stimulus in China.<\/p>\n Sasol tumbled as much as 9.6% after reporting an annual loss.<\/p>\n Foreigners were net sellers of South African equities for a fifth consecutive day on Friday, disposing of 656 million rand of shares, according to exchange operator JSE Ltd.<\/p>\n
\n