Colombo stocks rose Thursday, pushing the ASI back above 7,200 for the first time in eight weeks, ahead of the monthly monetary policy review. Benchmark index climbed 12.99 index points or 0.18% to close at 7,212.62, while 20-scrip S&P SL index edged up marginally by 3.38 index points (-0.08%) to close at 4,041.21.

Index gain was fueled by high caps such as Hemas Holdings (closed at LKR 86.00, +4.1%), John Keells Holdings (closed at LKR 190.90, +1.1%) and Vallibel One (closed at LKR 24.70, +2.5%).

Daily market reached two week high of LKR 2.2bn, boosted by foreign purchases in Asiri Hospital Holdings. 36mn shares of Asiri Hospitals changed hands in three crossings at a price of LKR 22.30 in today’s session and the counter was the top contributor to the daily turnover with LKR 807mn. The counter closed at LKR 22.20,+0.5%.

Further several crossings were seen in Commercial Bank (1.4mn shares at LKR 168.00-168.50) and John Keells Holdings (1.0mn shares at LKR 190.50). Aggregate value of crossings represented 55% of the total turnover. Accordingly, John Keells Holdings (LKR 269mn), Commercial Bank (LKR 246mn) and CIC Holdings (LKR 153mn) made notable contributions to the days’ turnover.

Premier blue-chip John Keells Holdings continued to attract substantial investor preference during the session. JKH Voting share increased to LKR 191.80 but closed lower while warrant 0022 and warrant 0023 advanced to LKR 27.00 (+4.7%) and LKR 38.00 (+1.9%) respectively.

Out of 263 counters, 130 inclined, 80 slipped while 53 counters remained unvaried. Cash map dropped slightly to 59% from 62%. 16 counters managed to reach to 52wk high prices while only Ceylon Leather Products warrant 0014, PCH House and Lucky Lanka Milk Processing touched 52wk low price levels.

Further, aluminum sector stocks such as Alumex and Alufab witnessed heavy investor preference where both counter increased to 52wk prices of LKR 19.40 (+3.7%) and LKR 59.20 (+4.6%) respectively. Moreover, tile sector stocks such as Royal Ceramic (LKR 131.20, +1.9%), Lanka Tiles (LKR 118.50, +0.1%) and Lanka Walltile (LKR 123.40, +1.2%) closed with positive returns. Poultry sector counters, Grain Elevators & Three Acre Farms continued to record fresh highs. Meanwhile, Watawala Plantations reached 52wk high price and its parent, Sunshine Holdings also advanced notably.

Foreign investors were net buyers with a net foreign inflow of LKR 931mn. Foreign investor participation was 35%. Net foreign inflows were seen in Asiri Hospital Holdings (LKR 806mn), John Keells Holdings (LKR 187mn) and Hemas Holdings (LKR 13mn) while net foreign outflow was mainly seen in Commercial Bank (LKR 65mn).

Lanka Securities Research