Dialog, JKH moves up

The market came down marginally, though the large caps recovered, while volume traded remained low, yesterday.

Dialog which fell to Rs 15.75 on Monday moved up to Rs 16.00 a share while JKH also gained Rs 0.75 to close at 117.00 a share.

The ASPI closed down 7 points (-0.27%) at 2631 while the MPI declined by 7 points as well (-0.21%) to close at 3239. John Keells Holdings (Rs 72 million), Ceylon Tobacco (Rs 20.9 million), Balangoda Plantations (Rs 19 million), Distilleries (Rs 10.2 million) and Lanka Milk Foods (Rs 10 million) were the biggest contributors to turnover, which totaled Rs 239.8 million.

The top advancers for the day were Seylan Merchant bank (NV) by 17% to Rs 0.70, Blue Diamonds by 11% to Rs 3.00, Lanka Ashok Leyland by 10% to Rs 360.00, HNB Assurance 5% to Rs 25.25 and Pegasus by 5% to Rs 21.75.

The decliners for the day were Colombo Investment Trust by 9% to Rs 18.00, Gestetner Ceylon by 8% to Rs 49.00, Associated Hotels 8% to Rs 35.75, Radiant Gems by 6% to Rs 34.75 and Sierra Cables 6% to Rs 1.60.

Source: First Guardian Equities