Sri Lankan stocks closed higher

Sri Lankan stocks closed higher Thursday after several days of losses with gains in most shares amidst thin trading, analysts said

They revealed that the Colombo Bourse bloomed in green territory today, after it observed deep steep sliding during recent past. The discounted market reflected an investor buying sentiment after so long days, which had resulted positive closures on both the indices, a stock broker said.  The benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) gained 69.68 points to close the day at 6,092.56; the liquid Milanka Price Index (MPI) gained 37.86 points and closed the day at 5,310.85. The market capitalization stands at Rs. 2.19Tn.

217 counters traded during the day to record a turnover of Rs. 827.4Mn which is an increase of 40% compared to the value recorded yesterday. John Keells Holdings (Rs. 205.6Mn), Commercial Bank (Rs. 43.5Mn) and HVA Foods PLC (Rs. 34.8Mn) were the major contributors to the daily turnover.  A Crossing took place on JKH.N for a value of Rs. 74.6Mn.

A total of 57Mn shares changed in hands during the trading day which is a reduction of 37% compared to yesterday. SMB Leasing PLC (14.7Mn), Blue Diamonds Jewellery [X] (8.5Mn) and SMB Leasing PLC (5.4Mn) were the top traded counters for the day further capturing investor’s interest. Price gainers outnumbered the price losers by 168:29. The price gainers were led by People's Fin (Price gain of 19%) on the contrary Autodrome (Price loss of 7.6%) led the price losers. The foreign investors reflected a selling sentiment recording a net foreign outflow of Rs 135.5Mn.(BS) 

-from Times online 17th nov 2011