ECONOMYNEXT – The Colombo Stock Exchange closed on mixed sentiments on Tuesday, with the All Share Index down and the S&P SL20 up.
The broader ASPI closed down 0.08 percent, or 9.31 points, at 12,300; while the more liquid S&P SL20 Index closed up 0.11 percent, or 4.05 points, at 3,628.
This could be due to some profit taking, market participants said.
Turnover was 1.9 billion.
Top positive contributors to the ASPI were John Keells Holdings (up at 199.00), Lion Brewery (up at 1,060), Sampath Bank (up at 82.90), Hatton National Bank (up at 215.75), and Central Finance (up at 120.00).
Top turnover generators were JKH, Hikkaduwa Beach Resort (Citrus) (down at 3.50), Sampath Bank, Hela Apparel (flat at 7.20) and Melstacorp (flat at 90.00).
There was a net foreign inflow of 37 million rupees.
Foreign buying was seen on JKH, Commercial Bank voting (down at 108.25), Sampath Bank, Convenience Foods (Lankasoy) (down at 730.25), Richar Pieris and Co (down at 21.80) and Windforce (flat at 20.50).
Foreign selling was seen on John Keells Hotels (down at 17.40), Resus Energy (up at 26.10), ACL Cables (down at 91.20), Ceylon Cold Stores (down at 61.00), Commercial Bank non-voting (down at 82.50), and LVL Energy Fund (up at 5.80).
John Keells Holdings announced the dates of its sub-division of shares, post-rights issue. 1,652,899,552 shares will be sub-divided subject to the 1:10 ratio. 150,263,595 shares will be added after rights.
There was a crossing, and the share also saw retail interest.
Union Chemicals announced a dividend per share of 27 rupees. The share closed up at 700.00. (Colombo/Oct22/2024)