The Johannesburg Stock Exchange or the JSE Securities Exchange is largest stock exchange in Africa. It is situated at the corner of Maude Street and Gwen Lane in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa. In 2003 the JSE had an estimated 472 listed companies and a market capitalisation of US$182.6 billion as well as an average monthly traded value of US$ 6,399 million.

The JSE Securities Exchange is planning to create a pan-African exchange by intially enabling investors to trade in shares from Ghana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Later it will expand this across the rest of africa.

History

The discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand in 1886 led to many mining and financial companies opening and a need soon arose for a stock exchange.

The Johannesburg Exchange & Chambers Company was established by a London businessman, Benjamin Minors Woollan and housed at the corner of Commissioner and Simmonds Streets. Out of this the JSE Securities Exchange was born on November 8 1887. By 1890 the trading hall became too small and had too be re-built but this too was out grown. Trading then moved into the street. The Mining Commissioner closed off Simmonds Street between Market Square and Commissioner Street by means of chains.

In 1903 a new building was built for the JSE in Hollard Street. It was a storey building that took up an entire whole city block bounded by Fox and Main, Hollard and Sauer Streets.

After the World War II it became apparent that this building was again inadequate and in 1947 the decision was made to rebuilt the stock exchange. It took 11 years before rebuilding started and in February 1961 the second exchange in Hollard Street was officially opened. By 1963 the JSE became a member of the Federation International Bourses de Valeurs (FIBV).

In 1978 the JSE took up residence at 17 Diagonal Street near Kerk Street. 1993 saw the JSE became an active member of the African Stock Exchanges Association. After a 108 years the open outcry system of trading was changed to a new era of high-tech computer trading on June 7 1996.

In September 2000, the JSE moved to its present location in Sandton.

External link

• Official JSE Website
• Webcam