LSL - Market Review – 18th Dec 2012

A major deal on Asiri Central and few blue-chips helped to bolster activity after a relatively slow start. Indices managed to close in positive ground helped by gains on blue-chips such as Commercial Bank. It is worthwhile noting that John Keells Holdings is trading approximately at around the same price levels as it did during the peak of the All Share Price Index in February 2011. Conversely, the ASI has lost approximately 2,300 points to date since the peak.

ASI gained 4.28 points (0.08%) to close at 5,507.79, MPI gained 27.40 points (0.55%) to close at 5,039.62 and the S&P SL20 index gained 10.18 points (0.34%) to close at 3,019.62.Turnover was Rs. 2,587.6Mn.

Top contributors to turnover were Asiri Central with Rs. 1,825.8Mn, Commercial Bank with Rs. 186.9Mn and John Keells Holdings with Rs. 155.3Mn. Most active counters for the day were Access Engineering, Sampath Bank and HVA Foods.

Notable gainers for the day were Access Engineering up by 8.2% to close at Rs. 18.40, Hydro Power Free Lanka up by 2.9% to close at Rs. 7.00 and Pan Asia Bank up by 2.7% to close at Rs. 19.00. Notable losers for the day were Hemas Power down by 4.8% to close at Rs. 20.00, Asian Hotels & Properties down by 3.5% to close at Rs. 75.00 and Lanka IOC down by 3.4% to close at Rs. 20.00.

Cash map for today was 90.24%but stood at 50.64% excluding the crossings. Foreign participation was 15.7% of total market turnover whilst net foreign buying was Rs. 140Mn.