Colombo bourse started the election week in an optimistic note with notable returns and high market activity. Benchmark All share price index gained 71.75 points (+0.98%) to end at a 6-week high of 7,420.14 while S&P SL index gained 35.11 (+0.85%) to end at 4,150.24.

Today’s gains were mainly led by blue chip counters such as Commercial Bank (closed at LKR 180.00, +2.9%), Access Engineering (closed at LKR 34.80, +7.1%) and Nestle Lanka (closed at LKR 2,135.00, +1.4%).

Daily market turnover recorded a one week high of LKR 2.1bn. Several crossings were recorded in John Keells Holdings (0.6mn shares at LKR 245.00 per share), Seylan Bank non-voting (0.5mn shares at LKR 60.00 per share), Hatton National Bank (0.2mn shares at LKR 195.00 per share) and National Development Bank (0.1mn shares at LKR 255.00 per share). Total value of crossings accounted for 12% of the market turnover.

John Keells Holdings emerged as the top contributor to the turnover with LKR 372mn followed by Access Engineering LKR 269mn and Seylan Bank non-voting LKR 213mn. Further today’s trading volume reached one-month high of 79mn shares.

Gainers surpassed the losers 193 to 42 while 32 counters remained unchanged. 10 counters reached 52wk high price levels while 6 counters touched 52wk low price levels. Cash map declined to 51% from 55%.

Moreover shares of Access Engineering, Union Bank and Textured Jersey were among heavily traded counters.

Additionally all the large cap banking sector counters such as Sampath Bank (closed at LKR 241, +1.8%), Hatton National Bank (closed at LKR 199.00, +2.1%) and DFCC Bank (closed at LKR 223.00, +1.3%), Commercial Bank (closed at LKR 180.00, +2.9%) and National Development Bank (closed at LKR 253.00, +1.3%) advanced today.

Foreign investors were net sellers for the second day with net outflow of LKR 287mn. Foreign participation was 18%. Net foreign outflows were seen in counters such as John Keells Holdings (LKR 317mn), Royal Ceramics (LKR 33mn) and Sampath Bank (LKR 17mn) while net foreign inflow was mainly seen in Sanasa Development Bank (LKR 61mn).

DFCC Bank made an announcement to CSE informing that the bank has been incorporated under the name of “DFCC Bank PLC” with affect from 6th January 2015 and will continue to carry on its business as a licensed specialized bank.

Furthermore Abans debentures will be listed tomorrow (07th January 2015).
Lanka Securities Research