Sri Lanka stocks close down 0.4-pct : Telcos make losses

Jun 19, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s stocks closed lower at 0.41 percent following two consecutive days of gains with telecom and some index heavy stocks recording losses, Friday, brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed 29.00 points lower at 7,035.15 down 0.41 percent. The S&P SL20 closed 18.05 points lower at 3,906.28 down 0.46 percent. Turnover was 635 million rupees, down from 566 million rupees Thursday with 71 stocks closing positive against 77 negative. “Political uncertainty is keeping investors away,” Lanka Securities said. The main index was dragged down by Commercial Bank closing at 162.10 rupees, down 2.80 rupees and Ceylon Tobacco Company closing at 900.50 rupees, down 10.30 rupees. Telecom sector stocks also recorded losses with Dialog closing at 11.00 rupees, down 0.20 rupees and Sri Lanka Telecom closed at 45.00 rupees, down 1.00 rupees. Sampath Bank closed at 258.30 rupees, up 2.00 rupees and DFCC closed at 200.10 rupees, up 0.10 rupees. Nestle Lanka closed down at 2,001.30 rupees, down 28.70 rupees and John Keells Holding closed at 197.80 rupees, down 0.40 rupees. .