Colombo bourse pared early gains on Monday and closed on a mixed note. The stocks rallied in first half echoing similar gains in previous sessions but lost steam in the latter part to close with marginal gains. The ASI relinquished most of a 26-point gain, ending 4.54 points or 0.1% higher at 7,336.59. S&P SL 20 index closed at 4,088.69 with a drop of 19.28 points or 0.5%.

John Keells Holdings closed 1.5% lower at LKR 194.00, subsequent to the mere 2% profit growth posted in June quarter. John Keells warrants 22 & 23 lost 6.1% and 3.5% to close at LKR 32.10 and LKR 41.50 respectively. Further, weak sentiments in index-heavyweights such as Bukit Darah (LKR 651.00,-2.6%), Nestle Lanka (LKR 2,003.50,-0.9%) and Carsons Cumberbatch (LKR 395.00, -1.3%) pulled S&P SL 20 index lower while positive performance in counters such as Ceylon Cold Stores (LKR 425.00,+4.9%) and Ceylon Tobacco (LKR 985.00,+3.6%) supported the ASI to close in positive territory. The market breadth was positive with winners surpassing losers 116 to 84 while 48 counters remained unchanged. The cash map remained unchanged at 53%.

The market turnover was LKR 984mn. The only negotiated deal in the session was recorded in Commercial Bank where 0.4mn shares changed hands at LKR 170.00 per share. The crossing accounted for mere 8% of the turnover. Royal Ceramics attracted investor interest after its subsidiaries posted notable profits and the counter was the top contributor to the turnover with LKR 99mn followed by Commercial Bank (LKR 75mn), Lanka Century Investments (LKR 53mn) and Laugfs Gas – nonvoting (LKR 45mn).

Trades were led by Ceylon Grain Elevators, Pan Asia Bank, HVA Foods and Bimputh Finance. 14 counters touched 52 week highs, where the three poultry sector counters, Ceylon Grain Elevators, Three Acre Farms and Bairaha Farms continued to post fresh 52 week highs. Moreover, finance sector counters such as Sanasa Development Bank, Vallibel Finance, Singer Finance, Sofltogic Finance also touched 52 week high prices in todays’ session along with Hemas Holdings and ACL Cables.

Today’s batch of corporate earnings was remarkably positive, but it failed to lift the market sentiment as most of the good news has been factored in the share prices. The tile segment, Lanka Wall tiles, Lanka Ceramics & Lanka Tiles posted profit growth in excess of 35%, but the share prices did not incline notably in todays’ session. Further, Seylan Bank- voting closed slightly lower despite 54% growth in profits in June quarter. However, Pan Asia Bank touched a 52 week high of LKR 28.60 and managed to close 4.8% higher at LKR 28.20 subsequent to the hefty 238% growth in quarter earnings while LB Finance closed at LKR 129.50 with 4.1% gain following the 73% growth in profits. Moreover, Lanka Ventures also closed 3.8% higher at LKR 46.00 driven by 35% growth in quarter profits and the final dividend of LKR 1.75 per share. Overseas Realty, which posted 3% fall in quarter profits closed at LKR 25.00 with a drop of 1.2%.

Foreign investors were net sellers with a net outflow of LKR 97mn. Foreign participation was relatively high at 21%. Net foreign outflows were mainly seen in counters such as Commercial Bank (LKR 72mn), Lanka Century Investments (LKR 53mn) and Laugfs Gas –voting (LKR 22mn) while top net inflow was in Laugfs Gas – nonvoting (LKR 44mn).

Lanka Securities Research