ASPI records largest daily gain in 6 weeks

Both ASPI and S&P SL20 closed in green due to price gains in counters such as John Keells Holdings, Melstacorp Limited and Asiri Hospital Holdings with turnover crossing Rs 388 Mn. High net worth and institutional investor participation was witnessed in John Keells Holdings, Commercial Bank, Serendib Hotels and Union Bank. Mixed interest was observed in Ceylon Grain Elevators and Seylan Bank nonvoting whilst retail interest was observed in Browns Capital. Meanwhile, foreigners remained active closing as net buyers mainly due to foreign purchases in John Keells Holdings and Serendib Hotels. Total foreign purchases accounted for 43.6% of turnover.

Banks, Finance and Insurance sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to Commercial Bank and Union Bank) whilst the sector index gained 0.45%. The share price of Commercial Bank decreased by Rs 0.20 (0.16%) to close at Rs 128.80. The share price of Union Bank appreciated by Rs 0.30 (2.24%) to close at Rs 13.70.

Diversified sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to John Keells Holdings and Browns Capital) whilst the sector index increased by 1.34%. The share price of John Keells Holdings gained Rs 2.10 (1.56%) closing at Rs 137.00 whilst foreign holdings increased by 403,512 shares. The share price of Browns Capital recorded a gain of Rs 0.10 (6.67%) to close at Rs 1.60.

Serendib Hotels was also included amongst the top turnover contributors. The share price of Serendib Hotels moved up by Rs 4.90 (21.21%) closing at Rs 28.00 whilst foreign holdings increased by 1,220,285 shares.

Furthermore, Asiri Hospital Holdings, Commercial Credit & Finance and Dankotuwa Porcelain announced their interim dividends of Rs 0.50, Rs 0.50 and Rs 0.40 per share respectively.