ECONOMYNEXT – The Colombo Stock Exchange closed down on Wednesday, data on its site showed.
The broader All Share Index closed down 0.41 percent, or 48.44 points, at 11,830; while the more liquid S&P SL20 Index closed down 0.52 percent, or 17.91 points, at 3,456.
Turnover was 1.2 million. A big part of this (Rs597mn) came from John Keells Holdings Plc (down at 194.25).
“There was foreign buying interest on John Keells and Hemas,” Softlogic Stockbrokers said.
“We saw foreign interest in selective counters persist.”
Hemas Holdings Plc contributed Rs143mn to the turnover, and the share closed down at 81.10.
Hayleys Plc contributed Rs156mn to the turnover, and the share closed up at 101.50.
The three crossings made up 67 percent of the turnover.
The capital goods counters, with all the bluechips, was the leading sector contributing to the day’s turnover.
With the exception of Hayleys and a couple of other companies, the counter saw most stocks close down or flat.
Sentiment around the banking counters also remained negative.
“The volatility in investor sentiments persisted. There are a lot of spectators in the market over the last few weeks, despite some positive news coming in.”
Treasury bill and bond rates have also dropped.
The top contributors to the ASPI were Melstacorp Plc (up at 86.00), SMB Finance Plc (up at 0.70), and TeeJay Lanka Plc (up at 40.00).
There was a net foreign inflow of 392 million. (Colombo/Jul17/2024)