Colombo bourse extended the gains on Thursday as both indices ended in positive territory. Benchmark All share price index gained 27.70 points (+0.39%) to close at 7,206.90 while S&P SL 20 index gained 12.79 points (+0.32%) to close at 3,989.60.

The gains were mainly led by the price incline in primary blue chips such as Ceylon Tobacco (closed at LKR 1,180.00, +0.9%), Nestle Lank (closed at LKR 2,100.10, +1%) and Hayleys (closed at LKR 354.00, +4.2%). In addition sectors such as Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals, Health Care and Construction & Engineering contributed favorably to the index performance.

Market turnover reached LKR 2.9bn underpinned by several crossings recorded in Access Engineering (12.7mn shares at LKR 28.00 per share), Asiri Hospital Holdings (5.4mn at LKR 21.00 per share), Union Bank (3.6mn shares at LKR 23.20 per share), Softlogic Capital (3.4mn shares at LKR 6.00 per share), Tokyo Cement non-voting (2mn shares at LKR 41.50 per share), John Keells Holdings (1.1mn shares at LKR 257.80-258.00 per share), Nations trust Bank (1.1mn shares at LKR 90.00 per share), Seylan Bank non-voting (0.4mn shares at LKR 54.00 per share), Sampath Bank (0.4mn shares at LKR 239.00 per share), Commercial Bank (0.3mn shares at LKR 157.00 per share), Aitken Spence (0.3mn shares at LKR 111.30 per share), Distilleries (0.2mn shares at LKR 215.00 per share) and Chevron Lubricants (0.2mn shares at LKR 245.00 per share).  The aggregate value of crossings represented 45% of the total market share.

Accordingly, Access Engineering positioned at the top of the turnover list with LKR 457mn followed by John Keells Holdings (LKR 296mn) and Tokyo Cement non-voting (LKR 163mn).

Out of 277 counters traded, 161 advanced, 54 slipped while 62 remained unchanged. Cash map inclined to 56% from 48%. 29 counters reached 52wk high price level while only Asia Capital and Serendib Engineering touched 52wk low price level.

Meanwhile shares of First Capital Holdings, Dunamis Capital and Renuka Agri Foods attracted heavy investor interest during the session.

Foreign investors were net buyers with a net inflow of LKR 29mn. Foreign participation was 34%. Net foreign inflows were seen in John Keells Holdings (LKR 185mn), Asiri Hospital Holdings (LKR 114mn) and Sampath Bank (LKR 60mn) while net foreign outflow was mainly seen Access Engineering (LKR 416mn).

Taprobane Holdings made an announcement to CSE informing that they have obtained a short term loan of LKR 514mn for a period of 03months at a rate of 13% per annum from their largest shareholder ARRC Capital (Pvt) Ltd.

Lanka Securities Research