ASPI gains further

BOURSE:The All Share Price Index further improved on its highest point reached on Wednesday gaining 21.82 points yesterday to close at 2,579.95 points.

Market turnover was once again boosted by John Keells Holdings of which over 3 million shares were traded pushing the share price up by further Rs. 6.75 to close at Rs. 179. Brokers said strong corporate earnings especially from the transportation and hotel sectors of the diversified company has attracted local and foreign interest in the stock.

Yesterday's market turnover was an impressive Rs. 956 million. The Milanka Price Index gained 38.52 percent to close at 3368.71 points. Milanka's sharp gain during the past few days was due to investors interest in counters such as Dialog and JKH.

Over one million shares of Asiri Medical Services, Ceylon Grain Elevators, HNB Assurance also traded contributing to the high turnover of the market. The market capitalisation which reached its highest point on Wednesday further increased by Rs.6 billion and was Rs. 790 billion at close.

Analysts said that the recent market performance has been very encouraging as the sharp increase of share prices was complemented by high activity levels. The current performance of the CSE has made Colombo one of the best performing stock markets in Asia, by recording over 33 percent growth so far this year.

(CK)