CSE manages to close on the up; turnover tops Rs. 1 b mark

The Colombo stock market yesterday closed on the up after a choppy day of sentiment. 

Both indices finished the day with 0.5% gain. Turnover crossed the Rs. 1 billion mark though volume of shares traded was low at 21 million shares.

Asia Securities said market continued its positive momentum led by EXPO (+2.5%), CALT (+6.4%), HAYL (+3.0%), FCT (+3.0%), CFVF (+4.8%), NDBN (+5.2%), and HHL (+3.4%). 

The ASPI touched an intra-day high of 10,863 (+92 points) in early trading and stabilised in the range of 10,820-10,840 in the second half of the session. NDBN (+11 points), HAYL (+7 points), and EXPO (+6 points) came in as the biggest index movers for the day.

Turnover improved led by JKH (Rs. 176m), LIOC (Rs. 128m), and EXPO (Rs. 101m). 

Foreigners recorded a net outflow of Rs. 48.5m. Net foreign buying topped in JKH at Rs. 32.3m and selling topped in SPEN at Rs. 41.1m.

NDB Securities said high net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in John Keells Holdings, Lanka IOC, and Vallibel One. Mixed interest was observed in Expolanka Holdings, Capital Alliance and Ceylon Grain Elevators while retail interest was noted in Industrial Asphalts, Browns Investments and SMB Leasing.

The Capital Goods sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to John Keells Holdings) while the sector index gained 0.48%. The share price of John Keells Holdings increased by 25 cents to Rs. 192.50.

The Energy sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to Lanka IOC) while the sector index decreased by 0.14%. The share price of Lanka IOC lost 50 cents to Rs 113.25.

Expolanka Holdings, Capital Alliance and Ceylon Grain Elevators were also included among the top turnover contributors. The share price of Expolanka Holdings moved up by Rs 3.25 to Rs. 131.75. The share price of Capital Alliance recorded a gain of Rs 3.50 to Rs. 58.50. The share price of Ceylon Grain Elevators appreciated by Rs 7.25 to Rs. 177.50.