ECONOMYNEXT – The Colombo Stock Exchange closed up on Monday, data on its site showed.
The broader ASPI closed up 0.30 percent, or 39.93 points, at 13,228; while the more liquid S&P SL20 Index closed up 0.28 percent, or 11.04 points, at 3,916.
Turnover was 2.3 billion. Most of this came from the food, beverage and tobacco sector (Rs645mn).
“We saw local retail interest coming into the consumer good segment,” market participants said.
Lion Brewery was up at 1,114.75, Ceylon Cold Stores was up at 64.90, and Distilleries was up at 31.80.
“Interest was also seen in the construction sector; with news of projects picking up, lots of shares are getting activated.”
Access Engineering saw investor interest; the share closed up at 28.50.
Tokyo Cement was up at 60.60. ACL Cables was up at 95.80. Jat Holdings was up at 21.40. Lanka Aluminium was up at 28.50.
Sierra Cables, for which Iconic Trust has announced a mandatory offer, closed down at 10.70.
Banking stocks saw mixed interest: Hatton National Bank (up at 233.50), Sampath Bank (down at 97.50), Commercial Bank (down at 123.00), DFCC Bank (up at 87.90), and National Development Bank (down at 83.50).
Diversified Financials also saw interest in anticipation of the lifting of the vehicle import ban.
People’s Leasing and Finance was up at 13.40, LOLC Finance was up at 5.90, and Central Finance up at 129.50.
Top positive contributors to the ASPI were Hayleys Plc was (up at 104.75), Aitken Spence (up at 127.75), Access Engineering, John Keells Holdings (up at 19.80), and Central Finance Company.
Top turnover generators were Lion Brewery, Hemas Holdings (up at 85.90), Access Engineering, Central Finance and JKH.
Crossings were recorded on Vidullanka (up at 12.80), and Central Finance.
There was a net foreign outflow of 379 million rupees.
Foreign buying was seen on Seylan Bank non-voting (down at 43.30), Softlogic Holdings (up at 7.80), JKH, Richard Pieris and Co (down at 24.70), Kelani Valley Plantations (up at 82.00), and Dipped Products (up at 44.20).
Foreign selling was seen on Lion, Hemas, Tokyo, HNB, RIL Property (up at 10.70), and Access Engineering. (Colombo/Dec2/2024)
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