S&P SL20 drops 1% for the day

Both ASPI and S&P SL20 closed in red due to price losses in counters such as Commercial Bank, Hemas Holdings and Ceylon Cold Stores with turnover crossing Rs 1.2 Bn. High net worth and institutional investor participation was witnessed in Sampath Bank, John Keells Holdings, Commercial Bank and Access Engineering. Mixed interest was observed in Melstacorp and Royal Ceramics. Furthermore, foreigners remained active closing as net sellers mainly due to foreign selling in John Keells Holdings and Commercial Bank. Total foreign sales accounted for 57.3% of turnover.

Banks, Finance and Insurance sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to Sampath Bank and Commercial Bank) whilst the sector index lost 0.63%. The share price of Sampath Bank decreased by Rs 2.80 (0.88%) to close at Rs 315.00. The share price of Commercial Bank moved down by Rs 3.90 (2.79%) closing at Rs 136.10 whilst foreign holdings decreased by 2,511,485 shares. Diversified sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to John Keells Holdings and Melstacorp) whilst the sector index decreased by 0.62%. The share price of John Keells Holdings closed flat at Rs 160.00 whilst foreign holdings decreased by 1,551,079 shares. The share price of Melstacorp recorded a gain of Rs 0.90 (1.49%) to close at Rs 61.50.

Access Engineering was also included amongst the top turnover contributors. The share price of Access Engineering appreciated by Rs 0.10 (0.43%) to close at Rs 23.10.