BOURSE CLOSED WITH GAINS

The Indices closed i n green mainly due t o price gains in John Keels Holdings, Commercial Bank and Ceylinco Insurance while turnover crossed Rs 2.2 Bn mark. High net worth and institutional interest was witnessed in People’s Leasing & Finance, Dialog Axiata, John Keels Holdings, Hemas Holdings, Overseas Realty and Hatton National Bank. Retail interest was seen in Softlogic Capital, Browns Investments and Panasian Power. Furthermore, mixed interest was seen in People’s Leasing & Finance and Vallibel Power Erathna. Foreigners remained active closing as net buyers mainly due to foreign buying in John Keells Holdings.

Diversified sector was the t op contributor t o t he market turnover (due to John Keells Holdings and Hemas Holdings) whilst the sector index gained 0.83%. The share price of John Keells Holdings closed at Rs 255.00 gaining Rs 5.20 (2.08%) whilst t he foreign holdings increased by 1,085,760 shares. The share price Hemas Holdings increased by Rs 0.90 (1.34%) to close at Rs 67.90.

Banks, Finance and Insurance sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to National Development Bank and People’s Leasing & Finance) whilst the sector index gained 0.44%. The share price of National Development Bank closed flat at Rs 240.00 and the share price of People’s Leasing & Finance gained Rs 0.70 (3.29%) to close at Rs 22.00.

Dialog Axiata was also among the top turnover contributors. The share price of Dialog Axiata gained Rs 0.10 (0.81%) closing at Rs.12.50.

Furthermore, Richard Pieris Exports and Namunukula Plantations have announced their interim dividend of Rs 6.40 and Rs 2.00 per share respectively.