ECONOMYNEXT – The Colombo Stock Exchange closed up marginally on Tuesday, ahead of the central bank’s policy rate announcement on Wednesday.
The broader All Share Index closed up 0.50 percent, or 57.36 points, at 11,597; while the more liquid S&P SL20 Index closed up 0.62 percent, or 20.78 points, at 3,377.
Turnover was 540 million.
Dialog Axiata Plc, the top contributor to the turnover, brought in Rs37mn to the turnover, and the share closed up at 9.40.
“Dialog saw some foreign selling in the day,” Softlogic Stockbrokers said. “It was a very very slow day, and activity levels were subdued, trade volumes were low.”
National Development Bank Plc which was the second biggest contributor to turnover, closed up at 71.00.
There was also limited foreign activity, with the day recording a net foreign outflow of 26 million rupees.
Foreign buying interest was seen in Commercial Bank of Ceylon Plc (up at 95.80), and Industrial Asphalts (Ceylon) Plc (flat at 0.30), “But these were negligible amounts”.
There were no crossings in the day, market participants said.
The initial public offering of ACL Cables Plc subsidiary Cable Solutions Ltd opened today.
The top contributors to the ASPI were Melstacorp Plc (up at 83.00), Richard Pieris and Company Plc (up at 19.80), and Commercial Bank of Ceylon Plc (up at 95.80). (Colombo/Jul23/2024)