Nov. 16 (Bloomberg) -- The following is a list of companies whose shares may have unusual price changes in South Africa. Stock symbols are in parentheses after company names and prices are from the last close.

South Africa’s FTSE/JSE Africa All Share Index rose 7.26, or 0.03 percent, to 26,695.24, taking its weekly gain to 2.9 percent.

Absa Group Ltd. (ASA SJ): South Africa’s largest retail bank controlled by Barclays Plc bank appointed Mohale Ralebitso as managing executive for private banking, replacing Hlengani Mathebula. Absa’s shares rose 50 cents, or 0.4 percent, to 128 rand.

AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. (ANG SJ): Gold climbed to an all- time high as investors stepped up purchases of the precious metal on speculation that the dollar will extend a decline. Silver, platinum and palladium also advanced. AngloGold dropped 95 cents, or 0.3 percent, to 327 rand.

Astral Foods Ltd. (ARL SJ): South Africa’s second biggest chicken producer said net income for the year through September rose to 344.6 million rand ($46.4 million) from 327.3 million rand a year earlier. The stock rose 51 cents, or 0.5 percent, to 100 rand.

Barloworld Ltd. (BAW SJ): The world’s largest forklift dealer said its full year operating profit after black economic empowerment transactions fell by 25 percent. The shares were unchanged at 49.70 rand.

BHP Billiton Ltd. (BIL SJ): Canada’s First Quantum Minerals Ltd. may be among bidders to acquire BHP’s Ravensthorpe nickel operations in Western Australia, the Australian Financial Review said, citing a source it didn’t name. The shares fell 91 cents, or 0.4 percent, to 222.58 rand.

First Uranium Corp. (FUM SJ): The developer of uranium deposits in South Africa said its second quarter net loss widened to $18.4 million from $1.1 million a year earlier. Shares in the company were unchanged at 22 rand.

Gold Fields Ltd. (GFI SJ): The National Union of Mineworkers suspended a threatened strike at Gold Fields said it will start talks with the company over a disputed recruitment system. Shares in the company declined 2.90 rand, or 2.7 percent, to 105.60 rand.

Harmony Gold Mining Co. (HAR SJ): Africa’s third largest gold producer plans to shut some mine shafts in South Africa in six month’s time at the cost of more than 2,000 jobs, Business Report said, citing the National Union of Mineworkers. The stock fell 1.69 rand, or 2.1 percent, to 77.28 rand.

JD Group Ltd. (JDG SJ): The South African furniture retailer said its annual operating profit after debtor costs fell 18.9 percent to 646 million rand. The stock advanced 1.15 rand or 2.9 percent, to 41 rand.

Lonmin Plc (LON SJ): The world’s third-largest platinum producer is due to publish annual earnings. The shares fell 2.62 rand, or 1.3 percent, to 198.70 rand.

MTN Group Ltd. (MTN SJ): Africa’s largest mobile phone operator may fire 403 workers, The Times reported, citing an internal company e-mail from MTN’s human resources department. The share rose 1.80 rand, or 1.5 percent, to 119.80 rand.

Simmer & Jack Mines Ltd. (SIM SJ): The gold producer is due to publish quarterly earnings. The shares rose 1 cent, or 0.5 percent, to 2 rand.

The following stocks will begin trading without the right to the latest dividends:

Afgri Ltd. (AFR SJ), Distribution & Warehousing Network Ltd. (DAW SJ), Fountainhead Property Trust (FPT SJ), Famous Brands Ltd. (FBR SJ), Octodec Investments Ltd. (OCT SJ), Pinnacle Technology Holdings Ltd. (PNC SJ), Premium Properties Ltd. (PMM SJ), Redefine Income Fund Ltd. (RDF SJ), Sentula Mining Ltd. (SNU SJ), Sovereign Food Investments Ltd. (SOV SJ), York Timber Holdings Ltd. (YRK SJ).

Shares or American depositary receipts of the following South African companies closed as follows:

Anglo American Plc (AAUKY US) rose 3.4 percent to $21.15. AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. (AU US) gained 2.9 percent to $44.70. BHP Billiton Ltd. (BBL US) increased 3 percent to $60.90. DRDGold Ltd. (DROOY US) declined 3.2 percent to $4.79. Gold Fields Ltd. (GFI US) jumped 2.5 percent to $14.45. Harmony Gold Mining Co. (HMY US) climbed 2.8 percent to $10.55. Impala Platinum Holdings Co. (IMPUY US) fell 2 percent to $22.25. Sappi Ltd. (SPP US) increased 4 percent to $3.92. Sasol Ltd. (SSL US) rose 1.6 percent to $39.31. Telkom South Africa Ltd. (TLKGY US) dropped 2.9 percent to $21.70.

To contact the reporters on this story: Nasreen Seria in Johannesburg at nseria@bloomberg.net; Renee Bonorchis in Johannesburg at rbonorchis@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 16, 2009 01:02 EST