Colombo bourse concluded the week in the negative territory where Benchmark All share price index lost 10.32 points (-0.17%) to close at 6,167.81 and S&P SL 20 index lost 6.59 points to close at 3,387.97. Price declines in index heavy counters such as Ceylon Tobacco (closed at LKR 1,065.50, -3.1%), John Keells Holdings (closed at LKR 233.20, -1.8%) and Bukit Darah (closed at LKR 580.00, -2.5%) contributed adversely to the index performance.

Gainers outweighed the losers 108 to 94, while 62 counters remained unchanged. Cash map declined to 41% from 75 %.

Daily Market turnover was LKR 906mn. Several crossings recorded in Sunshine Holdings (11mn shares at LKR 30.00 per share) and Sampath Bank (0.15mn shares at LKR 195.00 per share). Sunshine Holdings (LKR 358mn) emerged as the top contributor to the market turnover followed by Royal Ceramic (LKR 81mn) and Commercial bank (LKR 37mn).

Meanwhile George Stuart Finance further managed to attract heavy investor interest during the session. Accordingly Sunshine Holdings, Laxapana Batteries and Nation Lanka Finance were among mostly traded counters.

Foreign Participation was low at 9% for the day. After 12 days of foreign inflows, foreign investors were net sellers with net outflow of LKR 9mn. Foreign outflows were seen in Aitken Spence (LKR 30mn), Royal Ceramic (LKR 15mn) and First Capital Holdings (LKR 7mn) while foreign inflow was mainly seen in Sampath Bank (LKR 29mn).

Lanka Securities Research