Colombo stocks declined on Monday, retreating from a 9-week high, as investors took some profit after three straight sessions of advances. Main index advanced to 7,280 mark in the opening hours but failed to maintain the momentum and declined by 21.82 index points (-0.30%) to close at 7,247.23. 20-scrip S&P SL index edged slightly lower by 3.98 index points or 0.01% to end at 4,067.67.

Investors paired positions in high caps such as Sri Lanka Telecom (closed at LKR 49.40, -0.4%), Asiri Hospital Holdings (closed at LKR 22.20, -0.45%) and Ceylon Cold Stores (closed at LKR 355.00, -2.7%) which impacted adversely to the index performance.

Daily market turnover was LKR 1.1bn. Aitken Spence emerged as the top contributor to the turnover with LKR 153mn underpinned by a crossing of 0.3mn shares at LKR 98.00. John Keells Holdings and Distilleries were next best contributors to the turnover with LKR 135mn and LKR 62mn respectively.

Out of 259 counters, 118 slipped, 85 advanced and 55 counters remained unchanged. Cash map declined to 47% from 60%. 12 counters headed to 52 week high prices while only Marawila Resort and Ceylon Leather Products dropped to 52wk low price levels.

HVA Foods was the most active counter for the session and stock closed higher at LKR 9.40 (+6.8%). Further investors gathered around all the scripts of John Keells Holdings. Voting share closed at LKR 194.50, reflecting a upside of 0.5% while warrant 0022 and 0023 concluded trading session at LKR 31.10 (+6.5%) and LKR 38.40 (+0.3%) respectively.

John Keells Hotels and Union Chemicals witnessed positive returns supported by favorable profit growth for the June quarter. Conversely, despite the improvement in net earnings, shares of Swisstek (Ceylon) and Colombo City Holdings declined by 5.2% and 5.3% to close at LKR 58.00 and LKR 650.00 respectively.
Meanwhile, ACL Cables declared an interim dividend of LKR 2.00 per share and counter increased to 52wk high price of LKR 98.70 but closed lower at LKR 96.20 (+0.2%). Further, Kelani Cables, a subsidiary of ACL Cables advanced to LKR 113.80 (+4.4%).

Foreign investors were net buyers for the third consecutive session with a net inflow of LKR 65mn. Foreign participation was 27%. Net foreign inflows were seen in Lanka Century Investments (LKR 53mn), Distilleries (LKR 49mn), Lanka Milk Foods (LKR 24mn) while net foreign outflow was mainly seen in Aitken Spence (LKR 124mn).

Lanka Securities Research