Shares gain on consumer staples’ strength

Reuters: Shares were up on Monday, following a seven-week rally, led by gains in consumer staples and industrial stocks.

The benchmark stock index ended 0.1% higher at 6,622.71. It is up 8.1% for the year.

Trading volume on the CSE All Share Index, when compared to the last full trading day, was at 94.14 million from 116.52 million.

The biggest boosts to the index were Conglomerate Expolanka Holdings Plc and Lion Brewery Plc which rose 6.3% and 3.8%, respectively.

Foreign investors were net buyers in the equity market, on-loading Rs. 123.48 million ($ 658,208.96) worth of shares, according to exchange data.

The Sri Lankan Rupee was last quoted at 187.6 against the US Dollar, as of 1042 GMT, 0.05% lower for the day compared to last session’s close of 187.5, according to Refinitiv data. The currency is down 3.47% this year. 

Equity market turnover was Rs. 2.60 billion, data showed.