Retail interest moves up

Shares in the Colombo Stock Exchange moved up marginally, mainly driven by stakes in SLT, following the Supreme Court order permitting NTT to sell its stake in SLT, if they wish to do so.

Retail interest moved up small capitalised shares, leading to a total turnover of Rs. 484 million.

The broad market ASPI moved up 4 (0.16%) points to close at 2571 points whereas the MPI which tracks the bourses most liquid shares moved up by 14 (0.44%) points to close the day at 3231 points.

SLT's contribution to turnover was Rs. 225 million, while Distilleries (Rs. 58 million) Parquet Ceylon (Rs. 34 million) Ceylinco Insurance (Rs. 16 million) and York Arcade Holdings (Rs. 11 million) also figured prominently in the days trading.

The advancers for the day were, interior specialist Parquet Ceylon, which saw the share price move up 27% to Rs 23.50, while Associated Hotels was up 13% to Rs 55.00, Bogala Graphite up 12% to Rs 23.00, Carson's owned Equity One up 12% to Rs 23.50 and trading company CW Mackie was up 10% to Rs. 29.00.

Shares that moved down significantly for the day were Beruwela Walk Inn, down -15% to Rs 67.00, engineering firm MTD Walkers by 10% to Rs 71.00, Kuruwita Textile by 11% to Rs 40.00, Gestetner Ceylon 10% to Rs 50.00, Vanik Incorporation by 5% to Rs 1.70.