Colombo bourse managed to close in the positive territory on Thursday. Benchmark index slightly gained 2.51 index points (+0.04%) to close at 5,914.56 and 20-scrip S&P SL index gained 6.69 index points (+0.21%) to close at 3,231.91. Price appreciations in illiquid stocks such as Indo Malay & Selinsing helped the ASI to close higher. Further, CT Holdings (closed at LKR 140.00, +4.0%), Commercial Bank (closed at LKR 119.90, +2.9%), Asian Hotels Properties (closed at LKR 58.50, +0.9%) and John Keells Holdings (closed at LKR 219.50, +0.7%) contributed positively to the index performances.

Market turnover was LKR 263mn. Commercial Bank topped the turnover list with an amount of LKR 51mn followed by John Keells Holdings (LKR 45mn) and Expolanka (LKR 16mn).

Further Union Bank, Blue Diamonds & Expolanka attracted retail investor interest during the trading session.

Gainers outweighed the losers 111 to 97, while 70 counters remained unchanged. Cash map improved to 55% from 17%.

Foreign participation for the day was 30%. Foreign investors were net buyers with a net inflow of LKR 52mn. Foreign inflows were seen in counters such as Commercial Bank (LKR 37mn), John Keells Holdings (LKR 30mn) & First Capital (LKR 2mn) while outflow was mainly seen in Hemas Holdings (LKR 9mn).

Lanka Securities Research