Bourse, rupee gain

Reuters: Stocks edged up on Friday, snapping a four-session falling streak, as investors picked up banking and hotel shares while the rupee edged up as banks sold dollars.

The Colombo Stock Exchange’s main index ended 0.31%, or 18.34 points, higher at 5,879.69, after coming off its lowest level since 19 September.

Turnover was Rs. 551.7 million ($ 4.27 million), just over half of this year’s daily average of Rs. 960 million.

The Bourse saw a net foreign outflow of Rs. 65.5 million. Foreigners have been net buyers to the tune of Rs. 32.25 billion this year. The rupee closed slightly firmer at 128.40/50 to the dollar compared with Thursday’s close of 129.10/20.