Improved market activity
Market continued to show the declining trend for the third week
running, on moderate trading as banking stocks grabbed attention this
week. However bargain hunting managed to prop up the market on Friday,
with both indices showing a modest growth after the distinct decline in
indices during mid week. Overall Week on Week (WoW) the ASPI closed the
week at 2911.6 points down by 65.3 points or 2.2 percent compared to
last week, while the MPI fell by 59.1 points or 1.8 percent to close at
3274.8 points.
JKH once again retained its position as the highest contributor
towards total turnover for the week.
Turnover of JKH was supported by couple of big crossings on Tuesday
and Thursday which resulted in a total contribution of Rs.956.1 million
(38.0 percent total weekly turnover) for the week.
Approximately 6.9 million JKH shares traded for the week, while the
share price witnessed a decline WoW. The share price declined, by 1.4
percent, to close at Rs.140.00 on Friday. The counter traded at a high
of Rs.142.75 per share and a low of Rs.135.00 per share for the week.
Amongst the banking counters HNB (Non Voting) was the leading
contributor this week, placed second highest in terms of contribution
for the week. Wednesday’s Rs.125.1 million generated by the counter
helped it to become one of the key contributors for the week,
contributing Rs.158.4 million.
The counter closed the week at Rs.85.00 per share, declining by 2.9
percent WoW, while within the week the counter was seen trading at a
high of Rs.90.00 per share and Rs.83.00 per share.
Meanwhile Janashakthi share prices picked up this week, amid
considerable trading witnessed on the counter from Tuesday to Friday.
Interest on counter was seen with investors reacting positively to
the Rs.2.00 interim dividend announced on Tuesday. The share price rose
by 15.6 percent WoW to close at Rs.13.00 per share on Friday becoming
the week’s top gainer. A total of 11.4 million of Janashakthi shares
traded within the week contributing Rs.150.3 million towards total
turnover for the week.
Activity levels picked up this week, even amid trading being limited
to four days, with turnover amounting to Rs.2.5 billion, compared to
Rs.1.3 billion posted during last week. The driver of activity this week
was JKH which had couple of crossings taking place during the week.
Meanwhile average daily turnover for the week amounted to Rs.635.0
million.
Foreign participation fell further to 12.5 percent during the week,
compared to 15.6 percent posted last week.
However, both foreign purchases and sales showed improvement WoW with
foreign purchases amounting to Rs.424.9 million and foreign sales
totalling to Rs.209.7 resulting in, Rs.215.2 of net foreign inflows for
the week.
The most traded stocks this week in terms of volume were; Janashakthi,
JKH, Piramal Glass, Vallibel and Seylan Merchant (Non Voting).
Point of View
Bargain hunters to resist the
downward trend
The dull sentiment prevailed in the market as investors cautiously
awaited a pronounced outcome from the political buzz over possible
national elections soon. Week-on-Week ASPI dropped 2.2 percent while the
MPI declined 1.8 percent on modest activity levels. We expect bargain
hunters to provide some resistance to the downward trend over the coming
week as the fall from the peak recorded on October 13, has now touched 7
percent. As we mentioned last week buying support would build around
stocks which are expected to post positive third quarter results.
This was witnessed amongst the banking sector counters this week as
they stood within the highest contributors to week’s activity. The
results released so far by banks turned impressive with DFCC, Sampath
and PABC recording notable jumps in their bottom lines backed by
improved interest margins.
Thus banks which are yet to release their results would also gain
more investor attention over the coming week. Similarly, other
fundamentally sound stocks which have fallen in the recent downturn
would also gain investor interest. Thus we advise investors to actively
look for bargain hunting opportunities in the market.
The information contained herein has been compiled from sources that
Acuity Stockbrokers (Private) Limited (ASB) believes to be true and
reliable but we do not hold ourselves responsible for its completeness
or accuracy. No matter published herein create any liability of any kind
on ASB.
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constitute ASB’s judgment of this date and are subject to change without
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