Turnover tops Rs 9 billion

Stocks at the CSE had an eventful day with turnover of Rs 9.6 billion with many large parcels changing hands.

Chief amongst them was Commercial Bank, which saw 9.99 percent of its voting shares change hands from DFCC Bank to a foreign fund. DFCC Bank sold 23,431, 485 shares at Rs 250.00 a share for a total consideration of Rs 5.9 billion.

Commercial Bank's voting share closed up finally at Rs 254.50. Interest was also heavy in John Keells Holdings, with the share generating Rs 1.5 billion in turnover and ending the day at Rs 188.25. Kotmale Holdings saw a 29.9 percent stake in the company change hands with the share gaining Rs 1.25 to end at Rs 27.75. In late morning trading 9.4 million shares of Kotmale Holdings changed hands at Rs 28.00 per share contributing Rs 263 million to turnover.

The ASPI index of all shares gained 42 points (+1 percent) for the day to end at 4,300 while the more liquid MPI gained 72 points (+1.5 percent) to close at 4,850. Sinhaputra Finance made its debut on the stock exchange with turnover of Rs 8 million and the share gaining by Rs 27.75 from its introductory price of Rs 74.00.

First Guardian Equities