Positive momentum continued into today’s trading with most
blue-chips gaining ground. Retail participation gathered activity today
on improved sentiment. Gains on Ceylon Tobacco Company helped to bolster the
indices with relatively high activity seen on the normal board. Banking sector
counters such as Sampath Bank, National Development Bank and Commercial Bank
also gained ground. It should be noted that foreigners were net sellers on both
yesterday and today.
ASI gained 30.72 points (0.56%) to close at 5,547.36, MPI
gained 52.77 points (1.05%) to close at 5,063.96 and the S&P SL 20 index
gained 29.74 points (0.99%) to close at 3,024.29. Turnover was Rs. 702.3Mn.
Top contributors to turnover were Ceylon Tobacco Company
with Rs. 104.5Mn, Chevron Lubricants with Rs. 99.9Mn and National Development
Bank with Rs. 54.1Mn. Most active counters for the day were HVA Foods, Central
Investments & Finance and Blue Diamonds.
Notable gainers for the day were Sierra Cables up by 13.0%
to close at Rs. 2.60, Tangerine up by 7.3% to close at Rs. 75.00 and The
Finance non-voting up by 7.1% to close at Rs. 6.00. Notable losers for the day
were PC House down by 5.6% to close at Rs. 5.10, Tess Agro down by 4.4% to
close at Rs. 2.20 and asia Asset Finance down by 4.0% to close at Rs. 2.40.
Cash map for today was 63.22%. Foreign participation was 32%
of total Market turnover whilst net foreign selling was Rs. 24Mn.
