Sri Lanka stocks close up 0.5-pct: JKH gains

Nov 19, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed up at 0.55 percent on Thursday with gains in John Keells Holdings and some banking and finance sector stocks, brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed up 38.21 points at 7,020.18 up 0.55 percent. S&P SL20 closed 31.13 points higher at 3,795.35 up 0.0.83 percent. Turnover was 552 million rupees, up from 535 million rupees on Wednesday with 111 stocks closing positive against 36 negative. “JKH gains drove the market in spite the investor anticipation of low dividend, the company declared an interim dividend of 4.50 rupees per share regardless of the super gain tax payment of 1.34 billion rupees,” Lanka Securities said. “Volumes were low because investors are waiting for some clear policy direction from the budget.” The main index showed gains in John Keells Holdings closing at 185.00 rupees, up 1.50 rupees and Colombo Commercial Leasing closing at 4.10, up 0.20 rupees. Sampath Bank closed at 260.70 rupees, up 2.30 rupees and Commercial Bank closed at 152.00 rupees, 0.50 rupees. Dialog Axiata closed flat 11.00 rupees with one off the trade of two million shares at 11.00 rupees.