Foreign sales account for 69% of turnover

The ASPI closed in green as a result of price gains in counters such as Commercial Bank, Asiri Hospital Holdings and The Lanka Hospital Corporation with the turnover crossing Rs 411 Mn.

A similar behaviour was witnessed in the S&P SL20. Crossings were witnessed in Central Finance Company and Expolanka Holdings, accounting for 53.4% of the turnover. Mixed interest was observed in Hatton National Bank and Access Engineering.

Furthermore, foreigners remained active closing as net sellers mainly due to foreign selling in Central Finance Company, Dialog Axiata and Hatton National Bank.

Total foreign sales accounted for 69.4% of the turnover. Banks, Finance and Insurance sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to Central Finance Company and Hatton National Bank) whilst the sector index gained 0.40%.

The share price of Central Finance Company increased by Rs 1.80 (2.16%) closing at Rs 85.00 whilst foreign holdings decreased by 1,547,154 shares. The share price of Hatton National Bank recorded a gain of Rs 0.50 (0.37%) closing at Rs 135.50 whilst foreign holdings decreased by 329,535 shares.

Diversified sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to Expolanka Holdings) whilst the sector index decreased by 0.48%. The share price of Expolanka Holdings moved up by Rs 0.30 (6.52%) to close at Rs 4.90. Dialog Axiata and Access Engineering were also included amongst the top turnover contributors.

The share price of Dialog Axiata lost Rs 0.10 (1.09%) closing at Rs 9.10 whilst foreign holdings decreased by 4,930,521 shares. The share price of Access Engineering appreciated by Rs 0.50 (4.00%) to close at Rs 13.00.