ECONOMYNEXT – The Colombo Stock Exchange closed up on Thursday, data on its site showed.
The broader All Share Index closed up 1.03 percent, or 117.60 points, at 11,531; while the more liquid S&P SL20 Index closed up 1.31 percent, or 42.79 points, at 3,308.
Turnover was 776 million.
Interest in banking stocks continued with many having posted positive interim results.
Commercial Bank of Ceylon Plc voting closed up at 94.00 and non-voting was up at 77.00.
Hatton National Bank Plc voting was up at 182.00, while non-voting was up at 146.25. The bank had posted a profit after tax of 15.4 billion rupees during the six months ended June 2024.
“Banks are seeing interest because the banking results that have come out so far look ok.”
Sampath Bank Plc was up at 77.20, DFCC Bank Plc was down at 72.30. National Development Bank Plc was up at 70.10.
Top contributors to the ASPI included Ceylinco Holdings Plc (up at 2,550.00) and John Keells Holdings Plc (up at 182.00), in addition to Sampath, Commercial and DFCC Banks.
Earlier in the day Sri Lanka saw 39 candidates hand in their nominations for the September 21 Presidential Election. The market had been in the red for days, with low turnover and little activity, due to political uncertainty.
There was a net foreign outflow of 113 million recorded in the day. (Colombo/Aug15/2024)