South African Stocks: Anglo American, Murray & Roberts, Optimum

The FTSE/JSE Africa All Share Index (JALSH) declined, falling 0.4 percent to 34,083.68 at 1:03 p.m. in Johannesburg. The index gained 0.9 percent last week.

The following are among the most active equities in the South African market today. Stock symbols follow company names.

Anglo American Corp. Ltd. (AGL) , the diversified miner that makes up about 9 percent of the index, dropped 0.5 percent to 312.25 rand. Fitch Ratings said commodity prices may be volatile in 2012 as euro-zone debt concerns weigh on market confidence. Copper swung between gains and losses as house prices in China had the worst performance in a year last month.

BHP Billiton Ltd. (BIL) , the world’s biggest miner, slipped 0.2 percent to 243.88 rand.

Anglo American Platinum Corp. Ltd. (AMS) , the biggest producer of the metal, gained for the first time in three days, adding 1.8 percent to 560 rand. Platinum rose in London trading.

Evraz Highveld Steel and Vanadium Ltd. (EHS SJ), South Africa’s second-biggest steelmaker, fell for the first time in three days after saying it has agreed with Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. to cut electricity usage by 25 percent for two hours a day. The shares fell 8.4 percent to 28.81 rand.

Murray & Roberts Holdings Ltd. (MUT) (MUR SJ), a South African construction company, declined 3.4 percent to 27.79 rand. Nick Brummer, an analyst at Citigroup Inc. cut his price estimate for the stock to 29.68 rand from 33 rand.

Optimum Coal Holdings (OPT) , a South African coal miner, gained for the first time in three days, adding 1.1 percent to 36.90 rand. The company said the competition authorities have approved a takeover bid by Piruto BV, which will now have to make an offer of at least 38 rand per share to remaining shareholders.

To contact the reporter on this story: Robert Brand in Cape Town at rbrand9@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Gavin Serkin at