Bourse closes in the red

All indices, turnover down

The Colombo bourse closed in the red yesterday, failing to hold gains of the previous two days, with turnover and all indices down and losers way ahead of gainers.

Turnover was down to Rs.505.4 million from the previous day’s Rs.702.3 million and the All Share Price Index lost 24.64 points (0.44%), the Milanka 18.76 points (0.37%) and S&P 1.50 points (0.05%) with 129 losers comfortably outpacing 63 gainers while 48 counters closed flat.

Brokers said that the market had eased off with banking stocks among the most active counters in a day where there was a single crossing of nearly 0.3 million JKH at a price of Rs.218, up Rs.6.20 from the previous close in a deal worth Rs.56.8 million.

The counter closed 10 cents up at Rs.217.50 on over 0.2 million shares done on the floor between Rs.217.10 and Rs.218 contributing Rs.50.9 million to turnover.

Commercial Bank (voting) was the day’s biggest turnover generator with nearly 2.2 million shares done between Rs.101 and Rs.104 closing 70 cents down at Rs.102, generating a turnover of Rs.223.1 million.

Other active banking stocks included NDB closing Rs.2.80 up at Rs.135 on over 0.1 million shares done between Rs.132 and Rs.139 generating a business volume of Rs.16.6 million and Seylan (non-voting) closing 20 cents up at Rs.35.20 on nearly 0.4 million shares done between Rs.35 and Rs.35.40 contributing Rs.12.3 million to turnover.

Sampath closing flat at Rs.200 on 40,297 shares and HNB (voting) closing 40 cents down at Rs.142 on 27,076 shares were also on the most traded list.

Distilleries closed Rs.2.50 up at Rs.160 on over 0.2 million shares done between Rs.151.60 and Rs.161 contributing Rs.37.5 million to turnover continued to attract interest.

source - www.island.lk