Indices end the day mixed

The indices at the Colombo Stock Exchange ended the day mixed with the MPI gaining 13 points (+0.4 percent) to close at 3,558 while the ASI closed down by less than a point at 3,139 yesterday.

Turnover for the day was Rs 1.2 billion with Distilleries Company accounting for Rs 113 million of the day's business. Distilleries closed at Rs 109.25, gaining Rs 6.00 for the day. DFCC Bank saw Rs 94 million worth of shares changing hands and closed at Rs 158.00, a gain of Rs 1.00. Seylan Bank non voting shares generated Rs 77 million worth of business, the share closed up 50 cents at Rs 18.75. Ceylinco Housing and Real Estate announced a rights issue of 1 ordinary share for every one share held at a price of Rs 16.00. The company pursuant to the regulatory and shareholder approvals will increase the number of shares in issue by 45 million and raise fresh capital of Rs 720 million.

Asian markets were mixed with Japan's Nikkei 225 Index down by 0.2 percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng and China's Shanghai Composite Index were up 2 percent and 1 percent respectively. Singapore's Straits Times Index and India's Bombay Sensex were up 1.2 percent and 1.5 percent respectively. First Guardian Equities