Bourse gets a taste of Xmas

Indices recoded gains for the first time in the Xmas month due to price gains in Ceylon Tobacco Company, Lanka Orix Leasing Company and National Development Bank. Further, activity levels remained healthy with turnover closing the Rs 800 Mn mark helped by the parcel trades in counters such as Commercial Leasing & Finance, Lanka Orix Leasing Company, Expolanka Holdings and John Keells Holdings. The retailers were seen active in E-Channelling and Vallibel Power.

Bank, Finance and Insurance sector became the top contributor to the market turnover (due to Commercial Leasing & Finance, Lanka Orix Leasing Company and Commercial Bank nonvoting) and the sector index gained 0.71%. The share price of Commercial Leasing & Finance inched up Rs 0.10 (2.56%) to close at Rs 3.80. Lanka Orix Leasing Company’s share price gained Rs 2.50 (3.33%) to close at Rs 77.50 with the counter’s foreign holding increasing by 1,478,500 shares. Furthermore, Commercial Bank nonvoting share price closed flat at Rs 88.00.

Diversified sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to John Keells Holdings and Expolanka Holdings) and the sector index declined 0.61%. The share price of both John Keells Holdings and Expolanka Holdings increased by Rs 0.10 (0.05%) and Rs 0.20 (2.70%) respectively to close at Rs 210.00 and Rs 7.60.

Meanwhile, Access Engineering declared an interim dividend of Rs 0.25 per share.