Bourse ends steady

Reuters: Shares ended steady in thin trade on Tuesday, hovering near a more than three-week closing low hit in the previous session, as investors largely stayed on the sidelines, stockbrokers said.

The benchmark Colombo stock index edged up 0.02% to 6,524.46, hovering near its lowest close since 12 August hit on Monday. The bourse fell 0.2% last week, posting its second straight weekly loss.

Foreign investors, who have net sold shares worth Rs. 2.78 billion ($19.13 million) so far this year, bought a net Rs. 157.5 million worth of shares on Tuesday.

Turnover stood at Rs. 449.3 million rupees, less than this year’s daily average of Rs. 753.9 million rupees.

“Investors are on a wait and see mode with profit-taking here and there,” said First Capital Equities Ltd Head of Research Dimantha Mathew.

Gains led by shares of Ceylon Cold Store Plc and Hemas Holdings Plc, which rose 1.5% and 2.6% respectively, were offset by losses led by conglomerate John Keells Holdings Plc, which fell 1.25%.