About the Johannesburg Stock Exchange
JSE Limited (formerly known both as the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the JSE Securities Exchange), is the largest stock exchange in Africa. Located in the affluent suburb of Sandton, this growing Exchange now has an estimated 473 listed companies and continues to go from strength to strength, with recent market capitalisation figures bordering on $182.6 billion (USD). JSE Limited is the market leader of choice for local and international investors looking to reach the leading markets of the African continent, and currently rank as the 19th largest Stock Exchange in the world.
On this page, you’ll find a list of companies listed on the JSE Limited exchange, relevant indices that track the exchange, information about its illustrious history, and the performance of today’s tradable stocks.
About the JSE Limited
The JSE was originally formed in 1887, during the time of the first South African Gold Rush. The original transactions allegedly took place under cover of a rustic canvas tent, and this was to trade on the gold discoveries that became prominent in the area.
With an opportunistic eye, London businessman Benjamin Minors Woollan established the Johannesburg Exchange & Chambers Company, and out of this the Johannesburg Stock Exchange was officially formed. 68 companies were listed during this formative year, and by 1890, this had expanded to more than 300. As the Exchange expanded, new premises were needed, which led to the Stock Exchange being rebuilt several times in new places during the decades that followed.
In September 2000, the Exchange took up residence at its present location in Sandon and became known by the name it is recognised for today, JSE Limited. And in 2012 the JSE became one of the founding members of the Sustainable Stock Exchanges initiative, which was an effort by the UN to offer more transparency within the world of trading.
Today, the JSE stands as one of the world’s leading Stock Exchanges, connecting investors to growth opportunities on both a local and a global level.
What are the main indices that track the performance of the JSE Limited?
JST Limited has connected with the London FTSE to bring into fruition the JSE/FTSE indices. The main index used is the Top40 index, which is comprised of the 40 largest listed companies on JSE Limited’s roster. The JSE also uses a number of sub-indices, which include the Indi25, which specialises in the 25 largest industrial stocks, and the Fini15, which monitors the 15 largest financial stocks on the index.
How many stocks are listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange?
There are currently over 400 companies listed on the JSE Limited, and these include some of the biggest brands in the world, including British American Tobacco, Glencore, BHP, and J.C. Le Roux. With an average monthly traded value of $6.399 billion (USD), the JSE Limited is clearly popular with investors, and this is thanks to its strong reputation and high profile listings. You can learn more through your regular trading platform or the JSE Limited’s official website.