Sri Lanka stocks end 0.7-pct lower

Dec 10, 2013 (LBO) - Sri Lanka stocks closed in the red Tuesday with index heavy stocks losing ground despite strong foreign buying, brokers said. HNB closed flat at 143.00 rupees and Touchwood Investments also closed flat at 2.90 rupees. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed 42.78 points lower at 5,778.52, down 0.73 percent. The S&P SL20 closed 17.68 points lower at 3,176.62, down 0.55 percent.

Turnover was 425.87 million rupees, up from 332.30 million rupees a day earlier, with stocks of 91 firms closing in the red against 72 gainers.

United Motors closed with an off market transaction of 206.41 million rupees contributing to 49 percent of total turnover. Topped the list

Blue Diamonds closed flat at 3.30 rupees and E-channelling also closed flat at 11.90 rupees attracting most number of trades during the day.

Foreigners brought 307 million rupees worth shares while selling 46 million rupees of shares.

Nestle Lanka closed 137.00 rupees lower at 2,105.00 rupees and Ceylon Tobacco Company closed 23.60 rupees lower at 1,106.30 rupees, contributing most to the index drop.

Hayleys closed 19.70 rupees lower at 285.30 rupees and Sri Lanka Telecom closed 60 cents lower at 37.40 rupees. Carson Cumberbatch closed 4.50 rupees lower at 350.10 rupees.

Commercial Bank closed 1.00 rupee higher at 117.50 rupees and Asian Hotels and Properties closed 80 cents higher at 67.40 rupees. Sampath Bank closed 1.90 rupees higher at 167.90 rupees and DFCC closed flat at 122.00 rupees. John Keells Hotels closed flat at 12.50 rupees and Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings closed 90 cents lower at 62.10 rupees.

Dialog Axiata closed 10 cents lower at 8.80 rupees and Hemas Holdings closed 30 cents higher at 33.30 rupees. Ceylinco Insurance closed flat at 1,349.70 rupees and Lanka Orix Leasing Company closed 40 cents lower at 70.00 rupees.

Bukit Darah closed flat at 615.00 rupees and Distilleries also closed flat at 190.00 rupees. Cargills Ceylon closed flat at 147.50 rupees and NDB closed 1.50 rupees lower at 156.50 rupees.