Mixed end for Colombo stock market

The Colombo stock market ended yesterday on a mixed note with indices moving at different directions amidst low turnover on restricted trading hours on account of the public holiday and curfew.

First Capital said the ASPI witnessed a downtrend and hit its intraday low of 4,773 within the 30 minutes of trading, and thereafter increased at a continuous rate and spiked at 4,807 during Mid-day. Later it decreased and closed at 4,781, losing 1 point. S&P SL 20 Index gained by over 2 points.

Turnover was Rs. 605 million.

First Capital said the turnover for the session was boosted by the parcel trades in Sampath Bank and Ceylon Tobacco. Foreign investors continued to be net sellers while recording high participation.

NDB Securities said the ASPI edged down as a result of price losses in counters such as Asiri Hospital Holdings, Dialog Axiata and Trans Asia Hotels.

High net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in John Keells Holdings, Sampath Bank and Lion Brewery. Mixed interest was observed in Tokyo Cement Company voting and nonvoting, whilst retail interest was noted in Dialog Axiata and Expolanka Holdings. Furthermore, foreigners remained active closing as net sellers. 



Total foreign sales accounted for 45.7% of the turnover.

Capital Goods sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to John Keells Holdings) whilst the sector index gained 0.51%. The share price of John Keells Holdings closed flat at Rs 110.00.

The Banking sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to Sampath Bank) whilst the sector index decreased by 0.23%. The share price of Sampath Bank lost Rs 0.50 (0.47%) to close at Rs 104.90.

Tokyo Cement Company, Lion Brewery and Tokyo Cement Company nonvoting were also included amongst the top turnover contributors. The share price of Tokyo Cement Company moved up by Rs 1.50 (5.56%) to close at Rs 28.50.

The share price of Lion Brewery closed flat at Rs 500.00. The share price of Tokyo Cement Company nonvoting appreciated by Rs 1.80 (7.76%) to close at Rs 25.00.

During the week, the ASPI and S&P SL20 lost 1.36% and 3.05% respectively, whilst recording an average daily turnover of Rs. 958 million.