Shares end lower dragged by consumer discretionary stocks

Reuters: Shares fell for a second straight session on Friday, dragged down by losses in consumer discretionary stocks. The benchmark stock index fell 0.1% at 6,616.95. It has gained 8% this year.

Trading volume on the CSE All Share Index, when compared to the last full trading day, was at 116.52 million from 610.33 million. 

Nestle Lanka and Ceylon Tobacco were the biggest drags to the index, ending down 2.8% and 0.7%, respectively.

Foreign investors were net sellers in the equity market, off-loading Rs. 269.33 million Sri Lankan ($ 1.44 million) worth of shares, according to exchange data.

The Sri Lankan Rupee was last quoted at 187.5 against the US Dollar as of 1058 GMT, 0.37% lower for the day compared to last session’s close of 186.8, according to Refinitiv data. 

The currency has fallen 3.42% this year. 

Equity market turnover was Rs. 1.72 billion, data showed.