Interest in banks boosts turnover

The bourse closed positive owing to gains seen in index heavy counters CTC and JKH. Banking sector boosted the turnover. Crossings seen in counters Commercial Bank, National Development Bank and Hatton National Bank Non Voting alone accounted for 25% of turnover. High net worth interest was evident in Asiri Hospital Holdings while retail interest was witnessed in SMB Leasing and The Finance. In addition, Amana Bank commenced trading with significant activity in the counter.

Banks, Finance & Insurance sector became the top contributor to the market turnover (due to Hatton National Bank, Commercial Bank, National Development Bank and Union Bank of Colombo) and the sector index edged up 0.03%. The share price of Hatton National Bank gained Rs 1.40 (1.10%) to close at Rs 128.40. The share price of Commercial Bank gained Rs 0.80 (0.63%) to close at Rs 127.90. The share price of National Development Bank gained Rs 0.40 (0.22%) to close at Rs 185.50 while the share price of Union Bank of Colombo uplifted by Rs 1.40 (7.45%) to close at Rs 20.20.

Healthcare sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to Asiri Hospital Holdings) and the sector index surged by 2.88%. The share price of Asiri Hospital Holdings went up Rs 1.70 (9.83%) to close at Rs 19.00.

Meanwhile, Lanka Tiles announced its interim dividend of Rs 2.00 and E-Channelling announced its second interim dividend of Rs 0.50 per share.