Shares close 5% higher as ASPI records highest single-day jump

Saturday, 13 February 2021 00:19 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The All Share Price Index (ASPI) of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) recorded the highest daily point gain ever of 387.19 compared to a day earlier, with shares closing 5.1% higher, data showed yesterday.

Stocks gained 5.1% on Friday, pushed up mainly by LOLC Holdings, Vallibel One and Expolanka Holdings, recovering some of the losses made in the past week.

The benchmark stock index ended up 5.1% at 7,985. Still, it shed 3.5% for the week but is up 17.9% so far this year, Reuters reported.

The rupee was last quoted at 194 against the dollar as of 1057 GMT, 0.26% lower for the day compared with last session’s close of 193.5, according to Refinitiv data.

Trading volume on the CSE All Share Index fell to 184.8 million from 198 million in the previous session.

Ceramic wall tiles maker Lanka Walltiles PLC surged 34.4% and was the top percentage gainer on the index. Conglomerates LOLC Holdings and Expolanka Holdings were among the top boosts, rising 12% and 10%, respectively.

Foreign investors were net sellers, off-loading Rs. 750.9 million ($ 3.87 million) worth of shares, according to exchange data. Equity market turnover was Rs. 5.17 billion, data showed.