Shares extend rally as energy, consumer stocks drive gains

Reuters: Shares ended higher on Friday for a ninth straight session, driven by gains in consumer discretionary and energy stocks.

The CSE All Share index closed 0.59% higher at 6,397.56. The index posted its fifth weekly gain after advancing 3.51% this week. LAUGFS Gas surged 22% to be the top boost on the index, followed by shares of Galadari Hotels, which gained 11.9%. Trading volume on the index rose to 236.1 million from 146.7 million in the earlier session. Foreign investors were net sellers, offloading Rs. 357.8 million ($1.93 million) worth of shares, according to exchange data. Equity market turnover was Rs. 3.30 billion, data showed.  The Sri Lankan Rupee was last quoted at 185.5 against the dollar.