ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka stocks closed 2.2 percent stronger on Friday, with indices on a gradual rise, brokers said.
“Market was on a positive path today,” Dimantha Mathew, Chief Research and Strategy Officer at First Capital Holdings PLC, told EconomyNext.
The ASPI closed up 2.18 percent, or 362.03 points, at 16,940.25; while the more liquid S&P SL20 Index closed up 1.88 percent, or 92.92 points, at 5,037.52.
“Recovery is continuing in the market,” Mathew said. “Banking sector saw a bit of profit.”
Sampath Bank closed up 1.5 percent at 121.25, Commercial Bank rose 1.4 percent to 148.00, and HNB closed 1.0 percent stronger at 331.50.
Continuing the downward trend, a net foreign outflow of 513 million rupees for the day was recorded.
Turnover was 4.8 billion rupees, while the share volume rose 25 percent to 139,009,808.
“Diversified counters are getting interest.”
Top contributors to the ASPI were Ceylinco Holdings (ended 9.2 percent stronger at 3,700.25), Melstacrop (grew 3.7 percent to 131.75), Hayleys (up 4.4 percent at 141.75), Central Finance company (closed up 4.8 percent at 222.25) and John Keells (rose 1.7 percent at 22.90).
Most of the turnover came from the banks (1 billion rupees), capital goods (995 million rupees) and food, beverage and tobacco (728 million rupees) sectors during the session.
DFCC Bank ended 3.3 percent stronger at 126.00, Access Engineering rose 4.5 to 41.90 and Brown & company was up 4.8 percent at 192.50.
Most active volumes were seen in RIL Property at 19,413,136 (turnover 319,631,541.80 rupees), Browns Investments at 10,460,697 (turnover 90,099,100.30 rupees), Dialog Axiata at 8,392,552 (turnover 113,337,493.60 rupees) and Sierra Cables at 8,373,056 (turnover 142,466,596.20 rupees). (Colombo/Feb14/2025)
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