Full Stock Market

The ASPI closed in red as a result of price losses in counters such as LOLC Holdings, Teejay Lanka and Melstacorp with the turnover crossing Rs 530 Mn. A similar behaviour was witnessed in the S&P SL20. Crossings were witnessed in Tokyo Cement Company voting and nonvoting, Melstacorp and Hemas Holdings, accounting for 71.3% of the turnover. Mixed interest was observed in Sampath Bank whilst retail interest was noted in Sinhaputhra Finance. Furthermore, foreigners remained active closing as net buyers mainly due to foreign purchasing in Tokyo Cement Company. Total foreign purchases accounted for 63.5% of the turnover.

Manufacturing sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to Tokyo Cement Company voting and nonvoting) whilst the sector index lost 0.92%. The share price of Tokyo Cement Company increased by Rs 1.00 (4.39%) closing at Rs 23.80 whilst foreign holdings increased by 5,913,971 shares. The share price of Tokyo Cement Company

nonvoting recorded a gain of Rs 0.90 (4.48%) to close at Rs 21.00.

Diversified sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to Melstacorp and Hemas Holdings) whilst the sector index edged down by 0.11%. The share price of Melstacorp lost Rs 0.60 (1.31%) to close at Rs 45.30. The share price of Hemas Holdings moved down by Rs 0.60 (0.71%) to close at Rs 84.50.

Sampath Bank was also included amongst the top turnover

contributors. The share price of Sampath Bank declined by Rs

1.60 (0.68%) to close at Rs 233.40. Furthermore, Chevron Lubricants announced an interim dividend of Rs 1.50 per share whilst DFCC Bank, Overseas Realty and Seylan Developments announced their first and final dividends of Rs 3.50, Rs 1.25 and Rs 1.00 per share respectively.