Turnover low

Profit taking drove the indices down as turnover remained low at the CSE on Tuesday. The ASPI lost 11 points (-0.6 percent) to end at 1,889 and the MPI lost 9 points (-0.4 percent) to close at 2,052.

The turnover for yesterday was Rs 172 million with NDB Bank contributing Rs 38 million to the day's business. NDB Bank closed the day down Rs 2.25 at Rs 93.00. Ceylon Leather Products saw Rs 33 million of turnover with the share closing down 75 cents at Rs 55.00 and Sampath Bank lost Rs 2.75 to close at Rs 86.00 on a turnover of Rs 9 million. Of the large cap, stocks John Keells Holdings closed down 25 cents at Rs 77.00, while Sri Lanka Telecom lost 25 cents as well to close at Rs 39.00. Dialog ended the day unchanged at Rs 5.25.

The Distilleries Company closed up Rs 1.75 at Rs 82.25. Commercial bank closed down Rs 2.00 to Rs 94.00 while HNB lost a rupee to Rs 94.00 as well. Ceylon Tobacco lost Rs 3.75 to close at Rs 115.25.

Source: First Guardian Equities