Sanlam shed 45c to 695c in spite of a special 10c interim dividend. African Life gave up 280c to R39.50, although Liberty edged 130c higher to R73. Among the niches, Specialised Outsourcing dropped to as low as R27.60 before closing at R30, 355c down. AMB ditched another 150c to R16.50, Theta 90c to R12.35 and NIBH slipped 5c to 420c. Alexander Forbes was down 95c to R13.25 ahead of the offer of 11.3 Investment Solutions shares at 220c per 100 Alexfbs.
Volumes are low and foreign interest absent.
MMW failed to set the market alight with news that it will outsource its distribution businesses and become an Internet company. MMW shed 4c to 33c on the announcement. It was 655c in May 1998. Usko warned again - the market buzzed with speculation of a deal with Altron now that Altron's intentions towards Reunert have been thwarted. The managements of Usko and Altron know each other.