Colombo stock market closed with flat returns on Wednesday shedding the early gains as investor sentiment continued to remain weak ahead of potential general election. During the opening hours, main index crossed 7,072 mark but failed to maintain the momentum, closed 0.13 index points (-0.00%) lower at 7,053.83. The 20-scrip S&P SL index shed 11.06 index points or 0.28% to end at 3,927.40.

Price depreciations in counters such as Dialog Axiata (closed at LKR 10.80, -1.8%), John Keells Holdings (closed at LKR 206.70, -0.3%) and Lanka Orix Leasing (closed at LKR 96.50, -2.5%) dragged index performance to the red zone.

Daily market turnover was LKR 606mn. Sampath Bank topped the turnover list with LKR 115mn underpinned by a single crossing of 0.1mn shares at LKR 260.00 and the counter accounted for 19% of the total turnover. Distilleries (LKR 106mn), John Keells Holdings warrant 0022 (LKR 24mn) and Dialog Axiata (LKR 24mn) were next best contributors to the turnover.

Losers outweighed the gainers 106 to 93 while 50 counters were remained unchanged. Cash map slipped to 54% from 61%. 8 counters touched 52wk low prices while Three Acre Farms and Kelani Cables managed to reach fresh 52wk high price levels.

John Keells Holdings warrant 0022, FLC Hydro Power and Nation Lanka Finance were heavily traded during the day. Nation Lanka Finance counter declined to 52wk low price of LKR 3.40 but closed higher at LKR 3.50 (-7.9%).

Foreign investors were net sellers with a net foreign outflow of LKR 64mn. Foreign participation was 24%. Net foreign outflows were seen in Distilleries (LKR 27mn), Dialog Axiata (LKR 22mn), Commercial Bank non-voting (LKR 15mn) while net foreign inflow was mainly seen in FLC Hydro Power (LKR 10mn).
Meanwhile at today’s Treasury bill auction, yields of 3M, 6M and 12M remained unchanged at 6.08%, 6.18% and 6.28% respectively. CBSL offered LKR 22bn worth of Treasury bills today and the auction was oversubscribed by 2.1 times with bids received amounting to LKR 47bn. It was decided to accept LKR 15bn.

Lanka Securities Research