Market up

Market had a spectacular session yesterday with the All Share Index reaching a seven month high.

The market continued to gain ground yesterday as well with investors denoting persistent interest. The Colombo benchmark index, the All Share Price Index (ASPI) rose by 1.92% (108.92 points) over yesterday's close to end the day at 5,777.22 points, while the Milanka Price Index (MPI) climbed by over 2.09% (110.89 points) to end at 5,419.43 points. The S&P SL 20 Index (S&P) ended the day at 3,139.32 points, witnessing a gain of 2.15% (66.06 points). Market turnover for the day was LKR 1.93Bn over a volume of 99 Million shares.

The top turnover generators for the day were John keels Holdings PLc (JKH), Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC (COMB), Nation Lanka Finance PLC (CSF), Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB) and Nations Trust Bank PLC (NTB).These counters accounted for circa 27% of the total market turnover. The highest turnover generator, COMB witnessed two block trades during the day.

The total turnover generated by COMB was LKR 178.56 Million of which LKR 82 Million were through the crossings. A volume of 750 k shares traded via the two block trades , 250k shares at LKR 111.50 and 500 k shares at LKR 110.00. COMB ended the day at LKR 112.00 rising by 2.56% (LKR 2.80) over yesterdays' close. The conglomerate, JKH generated a turnover of LKR 117.73 Million over a volume of 558 k shares.

The counter traded at a low of LKR 209.80 and a high of LKR 213.00 before ending the day at Rs 212.40 witnessing a gain of 1.92% (LKR 4.00) over previous day's close. The other counters in the top turnover list CSF, HNB and NTB all ended with considerable gains. Foreigners ended the day as net buyers with foreign purchases worth of LKR 265.37 Million against foreign sales worth of LKR 110.13 Million resulting in a net inflow of LKR 155.24 Million.