Foreign purchases boost turnover

ASPI edged down due to price losses in counters such as Ceylon Cold Stores, John Keells Holdings and Sri Lanka Telecom with turnover crossing Rs 968 Mn. Meanwhile, S&P SL20 closed in red. High networth and institutional participation was witnessed in Commercial Bank nonvoting and National Development Bank. Mixed interest was observed in Janashakthi Insurance and Softlogic Holdings whilst retail interest was noted in Orient Finance and Lankem Developments. Furthermore, foreigners remained active closing as net buyers. Total foreign purchases accounted for 55.5% of turnover.

Banks, Finance and Insurance sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to Commercial Bank nonvoting, Janashakthi Insurance Company and National Development Bank) whilst the sector index edged up by 0.02%. The share price of Commercial Bank nonvoting decreased by Rs 0.40 (0.37%) to close at Rs 108.60. The share price of Janashakthi Insurance Company gained Rs 1.10 (4.00%) to close at Rs 28.60. The share price of National Development Bank declined by Rs 1.00 (0.73%) to close at Rs 136.10.

Diversified sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to John Keells Holdings and Softlogic Holdings) whilst the sector index decreased by 0.24%. The share price of John Keells Holdings moved down by Rs 1.00 (0.63%) to close at Rs 157.50.

The share price of Softlogic Holdings recorded a gain of Rs 0.10 (0.63%) to close at Rs 16.00.

Furthermore, Hayleys Fibre announced an interim dividend of Rs 2.00 per share.