Colombo equities wrapped its weekly operations in green territory where benchmark index expanded by 30.23 index points or 0.48% to end at 6,315.19. 20-scrip S&P SL index marginally grew by 0.18 index points to or 0.01% to end at 3,479.17. Price appreciations in Ceylon Tobacco Company (closed at LKR 1,089.50, +1.7%), Nestle Lanka (1,989.00, +2.1%) and Sri Lanka Telecom (closed at LKR 48.00, +3.0%) contributed positively to the index performance.

Daily market turnover reached to LKR 1.6bn with support of hefty crossings recorded in John Keells Holdings (3.5mn shares at LKR 235.00), Lanka Walltiles (0.30mn shares at LKR 74.00) and Nestle Lanka (0.09mn shares at LKR 1,990.00).  Aggregate value of total crossings recorded 64% of the turnover.

Accordingly John Keells Holdings topped turnover list with LKR 835mn followed by Nestle Lanka (LKR 171mn) and Commercial Bank (LKR 77mn).

Gainers offset losers 120 to 78, while 59 equities remained unchanged. Cash map improved to 60% from 42%. 9 stocks managed to touch 52wk high prices and 1 stock reached 52wk low prices.

Further, as anticipated by many, People’s Leasing & Finance announced final dividend of LKR 0.50 per share and Hunas Falls announced first & final dividend of LKR 1.00 per share.

Moreover, Tokyo Cement, City House and Real Estate Co. and Vallibel One attracted heavy investor interest during the trading session.

Foreign investors were net buyers with net inflow of LKR 944mn and with today’s inflow, foreign investors became net buyers in 2014, with an net foreign inflow of LKR 681mn. Foreign participation was 45%. Foreign inflows were seen in counters such as John Keells Holdings (LKR 729mn), Commercial Bank (LKR 73mn), Sampath Bank (LKR 36mn) while foreign outflow was mainly seen in Chevron Lubricants (LKR 6mn).

Lanka Securities Research