Indices close in green

ASPI closed in green due to price gains in counters such as Carson Cumberbatch, Ceylon Beverage Holdings and Nestle Lanka with turnover crossing Rs 1.3 Bn. Meanwhile, a similar behaviour was noted in the S&P SL20. High net worth and institutional investor participation was witnessed in Softlogic Holdings, Ceylon Cold Stores, Melstacorp, John Keells Holdings, Commercial Bank nonvoting and Access Engineering. Mixed interest was observed in Janashakthi Insurance and Watawala Plantations whilst retail interest was noted in Orient Finance and Lankem Developments. Furthermore, foreigners remained active closing as net buyers mainly due to foreign purchasing in Softlogic Holdings and Ceylon Cold Stores. Total foreign purchases accounted for 44.0% of turnover.

Banks, Finance and Insurance sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to Janashakthi Insurance Company and Orient Finance) whilst the sector index gained 0.71%. The share price of Janashakthi Insurance Company gained Rs 1.90 (6.64%) to close at Rs 30.50. The share price of Orient Finance recorded a gain of Rs 2.60 (14.94%) to close at Rs 20.00.

Diversified sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to Softlogic Holdings and John Keells Holdings) whilst the sector index increased by 1.18%. The share price of Softlogic Holdings increased by Rs 1.00 (6.25%) closing at Rs 17.00 whilst foreign holdings increased by 16,399,331 shares. The share price of John Keells Holdings increased by Rs 0.80 (0.51%) to close at Rs 158.30.

Ceylon Cold Stores was also included amongst the top turnover contributors. The share price of Ceylon Cold Stores closed flat at Rs 900.00 whilst foreign holdings increased by 120,862 shares.

Furthermore, Chevron Lubricants Lanka and Asia Siyaka Commodities announced their interim dividends of Rs 2.25 and Rs0.15per share respectively.