YTD net foreign inflow passes Rs. 5 bn

The ASPI close in green due to price gains in counters such as Bukit Darah, Carson Cumberbatch and CT Holdings with turnover crossing Rs 451 Mn. Meanwhile, S&P SL20 closed in red due to price losses in counters such as Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank and Dialog Axiata. High net worth and institutional investor participation was witnessed in Softlogic Holdings and Vallibel Power Erathna whilst retail interest was noted in Janashakthi Insurance Company, Orient Finance and Swarnamahal Financial Services. Furthermore, foreigners remained active closing as net buyers mainly due to foreign purchasing in Softlogic Holdings.

During the week, the ASPI gained 0.79% whilst the S&P SL20 lost 0.58%. The average daily turnover for the week was recorded at Rs 901 Mn.

Diversified sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to Softlogic Holdings) whilst the sector index gained 1.69%. The share price of Softlogic Holdings increased by Rs 1.10 (6.47%) closing at Rs 18.10 whilst foreign holdings increased by 6,057,504 shares.

Banks, Finance and Insurance sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to Swarnamahal Financial Services, Janashakthi Insurance Company and Orient Finance) whilst the sector index decreased by 0.34%. The share price of Swarnamahal Financial Services closed flat at Rs 2.10. The share price of Janashakthi Insurance Company recorded a loss of Rs 0.30 (0.98%) to close at Rs 30.20. The share price of Orient Finance declined by Rs 0.70 (3.50%) to close at Rs 19.30.

Vallibel Power Erathna was also included amongst the top turnover contributors. The share price of Vallibel Power Erathna gained Rs 0.10 (1.30%) to close at Rs 7.80.

Furthermore, HNB Assurance announced its interim dividend of Rs 6.00 per share whilst Dialog Axiata announced its final dividend of Rs 0.46 per share.