Fuelled by talk

Shares in Impala Platinum, the world's second biggest producer of the precious metal, raced nine percent higher yesterday, partly boosted by market talk that BHP Billiton could bid for the local company. "At the moment it is pure speculation, but yes, for sure the speculation is affecting the price," Roy Lamb, a trader at Investec Securities in Johannesburg said. BHP declined to comment. "It's company policy not to comment on speculation or rumours," said BHP's London-based spokesman Illtud Harri. - Reuters

Shares in Impala Platinum, the world's second biggest producer of the precious metal, raced nine percent higher yesterday, partly boosted by market talk that BHP Billiton could bid for the local company. "At the moment it is pure speculation, but yes, for sure the speculation is affecting the price," Roy Lamb, a trader at Investec Securities in Johannesburg said. BHP declined to comment. "It's company policy not to comment on speculation or rumours," said BHP's London-based spokesman Illtud Harri. - Reuters