JOHANNESBURG, July 5 (Xinhua) -- The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) closed marginally weaker on Thursday following Asian markets which were trading mostly lower in the morning.

The South African rand gained against the U.S. dollar on Thursday afternoon in response to the euro strengthening against the dollar.

The local unit usually firms on a stronger euro and loses ground on a stronger dollar.

At close of the session, the rand was at R13.57 to the U.S. dollar from R13.67, the euro at R15.86 from R15.94 and the pound at R17.93 from R18.09.

Naspers was down 0.56 percent to R3,388.86 following rife rumors that the group was considering a primary listing in Hong Kong. Naspers owns 31.2 percent of Chinese internet and gaming company Tencent.

Market focus is now shifted to the crucial nonfarm jobs data in the U.S. on Friday. The general consensus view is that 195,000 jobs to have been created in May from 223,000 in June.

A positive figure will support the U.S. dollar and that would indicate the likelihood of a more hawkish stance from the Fed on the interest rate.

The all share was down 0.32 percent to 57,414 points and the top 40 was 0.35 percent lower. Resources were up 0.64 percent; the platinum index 0.13 percent and general retailers were down 0.25 percent. Industrials slipped 0.71 percent.

British American Tobacco lost 2.11 percent to R697.51.

Anglo American Platinum lost 2.22 percent to R353.32. The group announced on Thursday it had sold 33 percent of its stake in the Bafokeng Rasimone mine for R1.86bn.

Steinhoff dropped 5.68 percent to R1.66 and Steinhoff Africa Retail 0.41 percent to R16.8. Enditem