John Keells Holdings top market contributor

Indices edged to negative territory in the morning , but recovered during the latter part of the trading session supported by improved interest on index heavy blue chip counters. Newly listed George Steuart Finance and Asia Siyaka Commodities recorded unprecedented gains owing to lack of selling quantities. Meanwhile, yields on treasury bills at all three maturities remained unchanged comparative to last week auction.

ASI gained 77.40 points (1.38%) to close at 5,668.30; MPI gained 88.82 points (1.70%) to close at 5,308.54 and the S & P index gained by 39.26 points (1.29%) to close at 3073.26. Turnover stood at Rs. 1.2Bn.

Top contributors to turnover were John Keells Holdings with Rs. 150.5 million, Environmental Resources Holdings with Rs. 83.4 million and East West Properties with Rs. 63.5 million. Most actively traded counters for the day were East West Properties, Dankotuwa Porcelain and Environmental Resources Holdings.

Noteworthy gainers for the day were George Steuart Finance up by 1000.0% to close at Rs. 220.0, Asia Siyaka Commodities up by 375.0% to close at Rs. 9.5 and Laugfs Gas Non Voting up by 20.2% to close at Rs. 21.4.

Meanwhile notable losers for the day were Serendib Land down by 30.5% to close at Rs. 1,999.0, Ceylon Brewery down by 17.9% to close at Rs. 316.0 and Selinsing down by 13.1% to close at Rs.1,390.00.

Cash map for the day was 59.53%.Foreign participation for today was 10.21% of total market turnover and foreigners were net buyers of Rs. 104.5Mn.

Lanka Securities Research