Colombo stock market managed to end positively on Thursday as both indices closed with higher returns. ASI gained 19.77 index points or +0.33% to closed at 6,024.55 while 20 scrip S&P SL index gained 21.85 index points or +0.67% to closed at 3,303.79. Price appreciations in counters such as Sri Lanka Telecom (closed at LKR 47.80, +3.5%), Commercial Bank (closed at LKR 123.00, +2.4%) & Lanka Orix Leasing Company (closed at LKR 78.00, +4%) contributed positively to the market performance.

Daily market turnover reached LKR 2.6bn with support of several off the board transactions recorded in John Keells Holdings (7.51mn shares at LKR 233.60-234.00) and Bairaha Farms (0.35mn shares at LKR 148.00). The aggregate value of the crossings accounted for 70% of the market turnover. Accordingly John Keells Holdings reported the highest turnover of LKR 1.8bn followed by Bairaha Farms (LKR 52mn) and Piramal Glass (LKR 43mn) in today’s session.

Moreover Softlogic Holdings, Primal Glass & Expolanka attracted heavy investor participation during the day.

Gainers outweighed the losers 106 to 76, while 49 counters remained unchanged during the trading session. Cash map declined to 78% from 84%. 13 counters touched 52wk low prices and 4 counters reached 52wk high price levels.

Foreign Investors were net buyers with a net inflow of LKR 298mn. Foreign participation was 78% for the day. Net foreign inflows were witnessed in stocks such as John Keells Holdings (LKR 309mn), National Development Bank (LKR 9mn) & Commercial Bank (LKR 7mn) while outflow was mainly seen in Odel (LKR 15mn).

Lanka Securities Research