JOHANNESBURG, July 4 (Xinhua)-- The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) closed slightly higher on Wednesday as the local market sought direction in a low-volume trading environment.

Markets in the U.S. were closed for a public holiday. The European markets were also lower as the U.S. dollar recovered against the euro.

The local bourse was buoyed taking a que from the UK market. According to international media, UK prime minister Theresa May was looking toward a third way with Brexit in order to appease hardline Brexiteers and those favoring a softer Brexit.

That lead the all share to close 0.19 percent higher at 57,600.02 points and the top 40 rose 0.17 percent. Banks firmed 1.49 percent, financials 1.24 percent, the gold index 1.08 percent and property 0.17 percent.

General retailers tumbled 0.95 percent and resources 0.85 percent.

Glencore dropped 1.28 percent to R57.79, after plummeting more than 8 percent on Tuesday. It has been served with a subpoena by the U.S. department of justice in a broader money-laundering investigation.

Anglo American climbed 2.21 percent to R303, while BHP fell 2.77 percent to R295.65.

Barclays Africa gained 1.96 percent to R166.97 and Capitec 2.43 percent to R873.75.

Steinhoff took a breather, after rocketing 31 percent on Tuesday, closing 2.22 percent weaker at R1.76.

Intu Properties added 2.6 percent to R33.17 and Capital & Counties 0.85 percent to R52.01.

Naspers was down 0.2 percent to R3,408. Enditem