Mixed fortunes at trading

The indices at the Colombo Stock Exchange yesterday began on a positive note, but ended the day on the negative.

The ASI, which tracks the movement of all 236 companies of the exchange came down by 14 points (-0.3 percent) to close at 5,079. The MPI, which tracks the 25 most liquid stocks, lost 44 points (-0.8 percent) to close at 5,763.

Turnover for the day was Rs 2.4 billion with Dipped Products ( Turnover of Rs 294 million, share up Rs 3.60 to end at Rs 121.10), Dialog Telekom (share down 10 cents to end at Rs 10.00 on business of Rs 202 million) and Touchwood Investments (down 40 cents to Rs 32.60 on business of Rs 156 million) accounted for most of the day’s business.

The top five gaining stocks were all up close to 10 percent, with Bairaha Farms gaining Rs 7.10 to close at Rs 78.60, Malwatte Valley Plantations up Rs 6.00 to close at Rs 66.80, Talawakelle Plantations up Rs 1.30 to Rs 14.50, Grain Elevators up Rs 2.90 to Rs 32.50 and Durdan’s non voting up Rs 7.80 to Rs 89.00.

The top decliners for the day were also down 10 percent. Dankotuwa Porcelain lost Rs 8.10 to finish at Rs 73.20 and Samson International down Rs 10.40 to Rs 94.10. Environmental Resources warrants W0002 lost Rs 5.70 to Rs 51.70, W0006 was down Rs 5.40 to Rs 49.40. Ceylon Leather Products was down Rs 21.40 to Rs 197.70.

First Guardian Equities