Crossings account for 61% of turnover

ASPI closed flat whilst S&P SL20 edged up. The turnover crossed Rs 780 Mn for the day. Crossings were witnessed in Ceylon & Foreign Trades and Lanka IOC accounting for 60.9% of turnover. Mixed interest was observed in Sampath Bank whilst retail interest was noted in First Capital Holdings and Elpitiya Plantations. Meanwhile, foreigners closed as net buyers mainly due to foreign purchasing in LB Finance, Lanka IOC and Sampath Bank.

Trading sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to Ceylon & Foreign Trades) whilst the sector index lost 0.73%. The share price of Ceylon & Foreign Trades decreased by Rs 0.20 (3.85%) to close at Rs 5.00.

Banks, Finance and Insurance sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to LB Finance and Sampath Bank) whilst the sector index increased by 0.14%. The share price of LB Finance gained Rs 2.10 (1.58%) closing at Rs 135.00 whilst foreign holdings increased by 613,524 shares. The share price of Sampath Bank edged up by Rs 0.20 (0.07%) closing at Rs 280.00 whilst foreign holdings increased by 108,229 shares.

Lanka IOC and Melstacorp Limited were also included amongst the top turnover contributors. The share price of Lanka IOC moved up by Rs 0.40 (1.18%) closing at Rs 34.40 whilst foreign holdings increased by 1,976,882 shares. The share price of Melstacorp Limited recorded a gain of Rs 0.80 (1.21%) to close at Rs 67.00.