Sri Lanka stocks close down 0.4 -pct: Profit taking

Aug 13, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s stocks closed down 0.39 percent on Thursday, with losses in some index heavy and Telecom stocks and investors taking profit, brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed 29.15 points lower at 7,442.75 down 0.39 percent. The S&P SL20 closed 24.51 points lower at 4,128.24 down 0.59 percent. Turnover was 979 million rupees, down fron 2.12 billion on Wednesday with 48 stocks closing positive against 115 negative. The main index showed losses in Dialog Axiata closing at 11.20 rupees, down 0.20 rupees with over 980,000 shares traded and John Keells Holdings closing at 192.00 rupees, down 1.10 rupees. "Foreign investors remained as net sellers for the 10th consecutive session, selling shares worth of 24 million rupees," Lanka Securities. "Foreign participation was 12 percent." Net foreign outflows were seen in Laugfs Gas Holdings 35 million rupees, John Keells Holdings 34 million rupees and Aitken Spence 16 million rupees while net inflow was mainly seen in Laugfs Gas Holdings non-voting 36 million rupees. In banking stocks, Commercial Bank closed at 172.10 rupees, down 1.20 rupees and Hatton National Bank closed at 225.50 rupees, down 2.30 rupees. DFCC closed at 198.50 rupees, down 5.20 rupees. (updated)