Indices close on a mixed note

ASPI close in red due to price losses in counters such as Dilmah Ceylon Tea, Commercial Leasing & Finance and John Keells Holdings with turnover crossing Rs 300 Mn. Meanwhile, S&P SL20 closed in green. Crossings were witnessed in Cargills, Vallibel Power Erathna and Ceylon Cold Stores. Mixed interest was observed in Seylan Bank, Access Engineering and Tokyo Cement non voting whilst retail interest was noted in Citizens Development Business Finance, Asia Asset Finance and Sierra Cables. Foreigners remained active closing as net buyers. Total foreign purchases accounted for 50.4% of turnover. Beverage, Food and Tobacco sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to Cargills and Ceylon Cold Stores) whilst the sector index lost 0.32%. The share price of Cargills closed flat at Rs 195.00. The share price of Ceylon Cold Stores closed flat at Rs 740.00. Banks, Finance and Insurance sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to Commercial Bank) whilst the sector index decreased by 0.35%. The share price of Commercial Bank recorded a gain of Rs 0.70 (0.49%) to close at Rs 142.90. Vallibel Power Erathna and Tokyo Cement Company were also included amongst the top turnover contributors. The share price of Vallibel Power Erathna lost Rs 0.20 (2.38%) to close at Rs 8.20. The share price of Tokyo Cement Company closed flat at Rs 54.00. Furthermore, Commercial Development Company announced a dividend of Rs 3.00 per share (an interim dividend of Rs 2.50 and final dividend of Rs 0.50). AIA Insurance announced its final dividend of Rs 2.00 whilst DFCC Bank announced a first & final dividend of Rs 4.50 per share.