Skip to content

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

The best JSE Top 40 shares as of April 2022

In the below article we identify the top performing companies listed on the JSE TOP 40 Index for the year thus far.

Source: Bloomberg

The best JSE TOP 40 listed shares in 2022

In the below article we identify the top performing companies listed on the JSE TOP 40 Index for the year thus far.

JSE Top 40 Index price performance

The commencement of war between Russia and the Ukraine, persistent inflation globally and a hawkish outlook towards global interest rates has provided plenty of catalysts for volatility in 2022. However, through that volatility in the first quarter, we have seen the JSE Top 40 Index managing to add more than 12% year to date (as of the 4th of April 2022).

Best JSE Top 40 share price performances in 2022 so far

Source: IG Charts

Commodity prices supporting gains

In what is perhaps a short bout of irony as the world tries to move away from fossil fuels such as coal and oil, Exxaro and Sasol have topped the gainers list, adding 50.5% and 39.64% respectively in 2022. Gains in these producers of resources, along with Sibanye Stillwater and Anglo American Plc (9th and 10th on the list) have found this years share price gains enhanced by sentiment pertaining to the sharp rise in commodity prices. This is as a result of the ongoing war.

While Sasol does in fact hedge out its oil pricing risk (and may not really be benefitting from the recent rise), results have highlighted a business which over the last few years invoked a sharp turnaround, reducing liabilities and increasing operational efficiences and returning to profitability.

The average basket price for gold and platinum group metals (PGMs), while off the shock highs of the year remain elevated in 2022 relative to 2021. These precious metal prices are expected to be supportive of future earnings from the likes of Sibanye, Gold Fields and Anglo American Plc.

While Anglos does not really have gold exposure, it would have benefitted from the rise in pgm's primarily through its Amplats subsidiary. A sharp recent rise in iron ore is also beneficial to, through its subsidiary Kumba Iron Ore. Perhaps Anglo’s outperformance of these aforementioned subsidiaries can be attributed to supportive copper prices as well as diamonds (of which Russia, pre sanctions, was a major exporter thereof).

Financials rebound sharply

Five of the ten top performing blue chip counters in 2022 have been financial counters, namely: Nedbank (+33.25%), Standard Bank (+30.25%), Firstrand (+26.32%), Discovery (+25.85%) and ABSA Group (+23.74%).

Banking counters in particular have seen renewed vigor as they bounce back from a hard lockdown and look to improving margins as the path of domestic interest rates start to rise.

This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Ltd and IG Markets South Africa Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.

Live prices on most popular markets

  • Forex
  • Shares
  • Indices

Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only

Plan your trading week

Get the week’s market-moving news sent directly to your inbox every Monday. The Week Ahead gives you a full calendar of upcoming economic events, as well as commentary from our expert analysts on the key markets to watch.

You might be interested in…

<h3>How much does trading cost?</h3>
<h3>Find out about IG</h3>
<h3>Plan your trading</h3>

Find out what charges your trades could incur with our transparent fee structure.

Discover why so many clients choose us, and what makes us a world-leading provider of CFDs.

Stay on top of upcoming market-moving events with our customisable economic calendar.