Colombo Bourse opens new week bearish

Tuesday, 18 February 2020 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Colombo stock market opened a fresh week on a negative note midst low turnover.

The All Share Price Index declined by 15 points and the S&P SL20 dipped by over four points. Turnover was Rs. 440 million. Foreigners closed as net sellers.

NDB Securities said the ASPI closed in red as a result of price losses in counters such as Distilleries, Central Finance Company and Teejay Lanka.

High net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in Access Engineering, Commercial Bank and Sampath Bank.

Mixed interest was observed in John Keells Holdings and Hatton National Bank while retail interest was noted in Browns Investments.

The Banks sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank and Hatton National Bank) while the sector index edged down by 0.05%.

The share price of Commercial Bank closed flat at Rs. 85.50. The share price of Sampath Bank moved down by Rs. 0.60 (0.36%) to close at Rs. 166.30. The share price of Hatton National Bank appreciated by Rs. 0.50 (0.32%) to close at Rs. 157.00.

The Capital Goods sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to Access Engineering and John Keells Holdings) while the sector index decreased by 0.24%. The share price of Access Engineering decreased by Rs. 0.10 (0.49%) to close at Rs. 20.50. The share price of John Keells Holdings recorded a loss of Rs. 0.20 (0.13%) to close at Rs. 154.80.

Ceylon Cold Stores announced its first interim dividend of Rs. 12 per share.