Reuters: Shares closed at their highest in nearly 1-1/2 years on Tuesday, led by blue chips, due to an improved appetite for risky assets after heavy foreign buying amid hopes of a rate cut at the Central Bank’s policy meeting later this week.
The main stock index rose 1.32%, or 80.51 points, to 6,201.68, the highest close since 14 November 2011.
“Investors are upbeat after foreign investors have been buying continuously. Retail investors are also on the buying side as they hope for a rate cut on Friday,” a stockbroker said on condition of anonymity.
Shares have been on a rising trend on expectations of a fall in interest rates after Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera and the Central Bank said interest rates could ease in May-June.
The market has gained 7.3% since the Treasury Secretary’s comments on 9 April.
The International Monetary Fund, however, said on Thursday Sri Lanka must not loosen monetary conditions as inflation remains a concern, even though prices had risen at a slower pace in April than the previous month.
Shares in market heavyweight John Keells Holdings rose 1.65% to Rs. 264.50 a share.
The turnover was Rs. 1.39 billion ($ 11 million), more than this year’s daily average of Rs. 1 billion.
Foreign investors were net buyers of Rs. 248.8 million of shares, extending the net foreign inflow so far this year to Rs. 9.21 billion. Last year, the Bourse saw a net inflow of $ 303 million.
The rupee ended at 126.30/37 per dollar, firmer from Monday’s close of 126.40/50, on exporter dollar sales, said currency dealers.
source - www.ft.lk
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