ECONOMYNEXT – The Colombo Stock Exchange closed down on Tuesday, data on its site showed.
The broader All Share Index closed down 0.15 percent, or 18.17 points, at 12,216; while the S&P SL20 Index closed down 0.15 percent, or 5.53 points, at 3,608.
Turnover was 1.3 billion. Capital goods brought in most of this.
John Keells Holdings Plc saw the most active volumes traded (Rs271mn), the share closed up at 207.00. The conglomerate announced a cash dividend, and an upcoming annual general meeting on May 27.
Lanka IOC Plc was also heavily traded, and the share closed down at 130.00
Market participants believed the short week, and an upcoming monetary policy review, dampened investor sentiment.
“We think there could be renewed buying interest after the review next week.”
A delay in external debt restructuring discussions was also impacting overall market sentiment, particularly in banking stocks, despite interest rates coming down, they said.
With the exception of Amana Bank Plc, which closed up at 2.40, all other banking stocks closed flat or down.
Top contributors to the index in the day included LOLC Holdings Plc (up at 464.00) Ceylon Cold Stores Plc (up at 62.00), and Industrial Asphalts (Ceylon) Plc (up at 0.40).
There was a net foreign inflow of 97 million. (Colombo/May21/2024)