Stock market sustains gain driven by top blue chips

The Colombo stock market sustained sharp gains for the second consecutive day on the back of strong buying reflecting improved investor sentiments.

Top blue chips including Ceylon Tobacco, John Keells Holdings and Commercial Bank boosted gains in the indices whilst trading was dominated on banking sector stocks. Acuity Stockbrokers said the Bourse ended on a positive note as the ASPI increased by 1.48% or 71.52 points to close at 4,913.37 points, while the S&P SL20 Index also increased by 1.98% or 39.59 points to close at 2,041.90.

On Monday the indices were up 1.27% and 2.4% respectively reversing the impact seen in the previous five trading sessions.

Market turnover decreased by 31.6% relative to Monday to amount to Rs. 1.37 billion while crossings for the day amounted to 14.8% of the day’s total turnover. 

Foreign investors recorded a net outflow of Rs. 493.2 million over the day compared to a net outflow of Rs. 830.4 million on Monday.

First Capital said the Bourse ended in the green territory recording a three month high, predominantly due to the price gains in Ceylon Tobacco and John Keells Holdings. 

It said the ASPI witnessed a continuous uptrend since the inception of the session and reached its intraday high of 4,920 before closing at 4,913 gaining 72 points. The turnover was boosted by the parcel trades made in ACL, COMB and HNB. “Market continued to record a substantial foreign outflow while experiencing moderate participation,” First Capital added.

NDB Securities said the ASPI closed in green as a result of price gains in counters such as Ceylon Tobacco Company, John Keells Holdings and Commercial Bank.

High net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in Commercial Bank, ACL Cables and Hatton National Bank. 

Mixed interest was observed in Expolanka, Tokyo Cement Company and John Keells Holdings whilst retail interest was noted in Tokyo Cement non-voting and Access Engineering.

Furthermore, foreigners remained active closing as net sellers. Total foreign sales accounted for 45.4% of the turnover.

The Banking sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to Commercial Bank and Hatton National Bank) whilst the sector index gained 2.07%. The share price of Commercial Bank increased by Rs. 1.70 (2.68%) to close at Rs. 65.20. The share price of Hatton National Bank moved up by Rs. 3.30 (3.42%) to close at Rs. 99.80.

Capital Goods sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to ACL Cables) whilst the sector index increased by 2.31%. The share price of ACL Cables gained Rs. 2.50 (6.25%) to close at Rs. 42.50. Expolanka Holdings and Tokyo Cement Company were also included amongst the top turnover contributors. The share price of Expolanka Holdings recorded a gain of Rs. 0.20 (6.90%) to close at Rs. 3.10. The share price of Tokyo Cement Company declined by Rs. 0.90 (2.90%) to close at Rs. 30.10.