Early close for stock market today

Trading on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) will be closed at 12 noon on 17 August in view of the general election. 

Year to date the All Share Index has gained by 2.24% whilst the S&P SL 20 Index has improved by 1.46%.

On Friday the market ended firmer on hopes that political stability after the 17 August parliamentary elections would help boost investor sentiment, brokers said.

The main stock index ended up 0.26% at 7,462.34, hovering near its highest close since 16 January hit on Wednesday.

Foreign investors were net buyers for the first time in 11 sessions. They bought a net Rs. 113.3 million worth of equities on Friday. But they have offloaded a net Rs. 1.09 billion worth of shares so far this year.