South Africa's All-share hits new record close

South Africa's All-Share index inched up 0.05 percent to 34,386.97 on Friday, booking a fresh record close as U.S. employment statistics painted a rosier picture for the world's biggest economy.

However, the Top-40 index of bluechips edged 0.03 percent lower to 30,718.49 as investors rushed to bank profits in Johannesburg before the close of trading.

Both indices traded on the back foot for most of the session but jumped as soon as U.S. non-farm payrolls came in well ahead of economists' expectations.

"The market pushed up and we saw a lot of guys take profit," said Travis Robson, an equities and derivatives trader at Global Trader. Gold stocks and index heavyweight MTN were the main decliners.

The pan-African mobile phone firm ended 1.7 percent lower at 135.99 rand after news it had become embroiled in a legal battle with rival Turkcell over a licence in Iran, one of its most important markets.

Gold stocks came under pressure as the rand strengthened past the 7.60 psychological level.

"If it continues to firm against the dollar, we should see some more weakness pushing into this market," Robson said.

No. 2 producer Gold Fields fell 2.2 percent to 125.19 rand while third-placed Harmony shaved 2.1 percent to 93.10 rand.

Bullion prices also dipped after the better-than-expected U.S. employment statistics dimmed gold's prospects as a safe-haven investment.

Shares of Old Mutual jumped after the financial services group said it would pay out 1 billion pounds ($1.58 billion) in a special dividend of 18 pence per ordinary share.

Old Mutual, which is also listed in London, sold its Nordic business in 2011 for $3.34 billion. The insurer says it will use the remainder of the proceeds to reduce debt.

Old Mutual shares finished 2.2 percent higher at 18.77 rand.

Some 197 million shares were sold, according to preliminary bourse data, compared with a daily average of 256 million shares in 2011. Advancers outpaced decliners 160 to 129.