Week commences in red

Both ASPI and S&P SL20 closed in red due to price losses in counters such as John Keells Holdings, Commercial Bank and Hatton National Bank with turnover crossing Rs 530 Mn. High net worth and institutional investor participation was witnessed in Melstacorp Limited and Dialog Axiata. Mixed interest was observed in John Keells Holdings and Sampath Bank whilst retail interest was noted in Chevron Lubricants and Browns Capital. Meanwhile, foreigners remained active closing as net buyers mainly due to foreign purchases in John Keells Holdings and Dialog Axiata. Total foreign purchases accounted for 40.2% of turnover.

Diversified sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to Melstacorp Limited and John Keells Holdings) whilst the sector index lost 0.39%. The share price of Melstacorp Limited closed flat at Rs 65.00. The share price of John Keells Holdings lost Rs 1.40 (0.88%) closing at Rs 157.00 whilst foreign holdings increased by 235,851 shares.

Banks, Finance and Insurance sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to Sampath Bank) whilst the sector index decreased by 1.15%. The share price of Sampath Bank recorded a loss of Rs 1.50 (0.56%) to close at Rs 267.00.

Dialog Axiata and Chevron Lubricants were also included amongst the top turnover contributors. The share price of Dialog Axiata moved up by Rs 0.20 (1.69%) closing at Rs 12.00 whilst foreign holdings increased by 2,479,492 shares. The share price of Chevron Lubricants increased by Rs 0.50 (0.29%) to close at Rs 175.40.

Furthermore, Ceylon Tea Brokers announced an interim dividend of Rs 0.18 per share.