Colombo equities started a fresh week on Monday on positive note where both indices closed with marginal gains. All Share Price index marginally gained 0.99 points (+0.02%) to end at 6,249.43 while S&P SL 20 index gained 5.88 points (+0.17%) to end at 3,441.69. Progression in index heavy counters such as Aitken Spence (closed at LKR 103.00, +3.6%), Lion Brewery (closed at LKR 435.00, +3.5%) and Lanka Orix Leasing Company (closed at LKR 78.00, +2.5%) contributed favorably to the index performances.

Gainers outweighed the losers 112 to 89, while 63 equities remained unchanged. Cash map declined to 57% from 66%.

Daily market turnover was LKR 1.25bn. Expolanka (LKR 271mn) emerged as the top contributor to the market turnover underpinned by the crossing of 5mn shares at LKR 10.50 per share. Aitken Spence (LKR 156mn) and Commercial Bank (LKR 94mn) made next best contributions to the turnover. Several crossings were recorded in Hatton National Bank (0.13mn shares at LKR 158.00 per share), John Keells Holdings (0.18mn shares at LKR 235.00 per shares), Hemas Holdings (0.56mn shares at LKR 43.00 per share) and Softlogic Holdings (1.88mn shares at LKR 12.00 per share).

Meanwhile shares of ACME printing & packaging, Textured Jersey and Expolanka were traded heavily during the day.

Additionally, DFCC Bank declared a first and final dividend of LKR 5.50 per share during today’s trading session and managed to close with higher returns (LKR 160.50, +0.6%).

Foreign investors were net buyers with a net inflow of LKR 153mn. Foreign participation was 31%. Foreign inflows were witnessed in counters such as Expolanka (LKR 117mn), Commercial bank (LKR 55mn) and John Keells Holdings (LKR 42mn) while foreign outflow was mainly seen in Aitken Spence (LKR 149mn).

Lanka Securities Research