Johannesburg Stock Exchange
The JSE is Africa's largest stock exchange and the 19th largest in the world by market capitalisation, offering equities, bonds, and derivatives markets from Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) offers secure, efficient primary and secondary capital markets across a diverse range of securities, supported by post-trade and regulatory services. It is the market of choice for local and international investors looking to gain exposure to the leading capital markets in South Africa and the broader African continent.
The JSE is currently ranked the 19th largest stock exchange in the world by market capitalisation and the largest exchange in the African continent.
The JSE was formed in 1887 during the first South African gold rush. Following the first legislation covering financial markets in 1947, the JSE joined the World Federation of Exchanges in 1963 and upgraded to an electronic trading system in the early 1990s. The bourse demutualised and listed on its own exchange in 2005.
In 2003, the JSE launched an alternative exchange, AltX, for small and mid-sized listings, followed by the Yield X for interest rate and currency instruments. The JSE acquired the South African Futures Exchange (SAFEX) in 2001 and the Bond Exchange of South Africa (BESA) in 2009. Today it offers five financial markets: Equities and Bonds as well as Financial, Commodity, and Interest Rate Derivatives.
On a regular week, the total value of shares traded easily tops R100 billion.
How It Works
- Equities market — shares of listed South African and international companies
- Bonds market — government and corporate debt securities
- Financial Derivatives — futures and options on indices and currencies
- Commodity Derivatives — agricultural and resource commodity contracts
- Interest Rate Derivatives — rate instruments via the former SAFEX and BESA
- AltX — alternative exchange for small and mid-cap listings
Trading Tips
The JSE is the primary venue for gaining regulated exposure to South African equities
Trading hours follow South African Standard Time (SAST, UTC+2)
JSE-listed companies include major miners, banks, and retailers with global operations
International investors can access JSE-listed securities through global brokers offering South African markets — see our guide to trading in South Africa
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