Indices close in green

Both ASPI and S&P SL20 closed in green due to price gains in counters such as Nestle Lanka, Ceylon Tobacco Company and Ceylon Cold Stores with turnover crossing Rs 675 Mn. High net worth and institutional investor participation was witnessed in Chevron Lubricants, Lanka IOC and Agstar whilst mixed interest was observed in Sampath Bank and Access Engineering. Retail interest was noted in Laxapana Batteries and Seylan Development. Meanwhile, foreigners remained active closing as net buyers mainly due to foreign purchasing in Distilleries and Lanka Orix Leasing Company.

Manufacturing sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to Agstar and Chevron Lubricants) whilst the sector index gained 0.67%. The share price of Agstar lost Rs 0.20 (3.39%) to close at Rs 5.70. The share price of Chevron Lubricants recorded a gain of Rs 2.30 (1.41%) to close at Rs 164.90.

Banks, Finance and Insurance sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to Lanka Orix Leasing Company) whilst the sector index increased by 0.10%. The share price of Lanka Orix Leasing Company closed flat at Rs 87.10 whilst foreign holdings increased by 160,658,897 shares.

Lanka IOC and Distilleries were also included amongst the top turnover contributors. The share price of Lanka IOC increased by Rs 2.40 (6.38%) to close at Rs 40.00. The share price of Distilleries moved up by Rs 4.60 (1.71%) closing at Rs 273.30 whilst foreign holdings increased by 329,404 shares.

Furthermore, Harischandra Mills and Senkadagala Finance announced their final dividends of Rs 45.00 and Rs 0.75 per share respectively. Lanka Aluminum Industries announced its first & final dividend of Rs 2.00 per share.