Thursday, April 5, 2012

Big trades in Central Finance keeps market buoyant

The Colombo bourse yesterday posted a turnover of Rs.1.13 billion, down from the previous day’s Rs.1.52 billion, with both indices continuing to edge down. But business volumes were sustained by larges trades in Central Finance, and crossings of Fortress, Hayleys and JKH as well as Swarnamahal.
 The All Share Price Index was down 8.34 points (0.15%) while the Milanka lost 4.62 points (0.09%) with 64 gainers trailing 112 losers.

"There was a block of 1.7 million Central Finance done on the trading floor at Rs.170. That generated the day’s top turnover of Rs.298.2 million," a broker said. "We also saw 13.6 million Fortress crossed at Rs.18, nearly 0.4 million Hayleys crossed at Rs.370 and nearly 0.3 million JKH crossed at Rs.208."

Central Finance closed flat at Rs.170 with seven trades covering nearly 1.8 million shares done between Rs.169.10 and Rs.170.90.

Apart from the JKH crossing, over 0.4 million shares traded on the floor between Rs.208 and Rs.209.50 closing flat at Rs.209 generating a turnover of Rs. 34.5 million. Hayleys too closed flat at Rs.360 on the trading floor with nearly 0.4 million shares traded (apart from the crossing) between Rs.360 and Rs.370.

Brokers noted that heavy activity in Swarnamahal where 5.2 million shares were traded closing 30 cents down at Rs.8.70 including some foreign activity. This stock has been seeing heavy volumes recently with retail participation evident.

JKH closed 20 cents up at Rs.209.20 on slightly over 85,000 shares done on the floor.

Brokers said dividend driven stocks like Ceylon Tobacco and Nestle saw some play with Tobacco closing Rs.9.70 up at Rs.585.30 trading between Rs.590 and Rs.600 while Nestle closed Rs.11.50 up at Rs.935 on 15,100 shares done between Rs.925 and Rs.935.

Chevron announced a first interim dividend of Rs.3 per share for 2012 XD from Apr. 18 and with payment on Apr. 27.

source - www.island.lk

No comments: