Shares mark near 2-week closing high;

Reuters: Stocks touched a near two-week closing high on Wednesday, as investors picked up shares of banks and beverages companies, brokers said.

The Colombo stock index finished 0.36% firmer at 6,614.55, its highest close since 13 October.

Shares of Sampath Bank Plc climbed 4.2%, while Ceylon Cold Store Plc ended 2.7% higher and Hatton National Bank Plc rose 3.5%.

“The market is looking very positive and investors are collecting before the Budget and earnings,” said Reshan Kurukulasuriya, Chief Operating Officer of Richard Pieris Securities Ltd. “Investors expect a business-friendly Budget and good results.”

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera will present the 2018 Budget on 9 November.

Turnover stood at Rs. 892.8 million ($ 5.80 million), below this year’s daily average of Rs. 937.1 million.

Foreign investors net bought shares worth Rs. 267.8 million on Wednesday, extending the year-to-date net foreign inflow to Rs. 19.7 billion worth equities.