Sri Lanka shares close up 0.2-pct

June 24, 2014 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's shares closed 0.18 percent higher with index heavy John Keells Holdings gaining amid strong foreign buying, brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed 11.52 points higher at 6,310.87, up 0.18 percent. The S&P SL20 closed 21.19 points higher at 3,496.12, up 0.61 percent.

Turnover was 874.88 million rupees, up from 867.34 million rupees a day earlier with 91 stocks closed positive against 75 negative.

John Keells Holdings closed 1.80 rupees higher at 221.80 rupees with two off-market transactions of 211.25 million rupees changing hands at 221.00 rupees per share contributing 24 percent of the turnover.

JKHâ€™s W0022 warrants closed 1.20 rupees higher at 60.00 rupees and its W0023 warrants closed 90 cents higher at 71.00 rupees.

The aggregate value of all off-the-floor deals represented 43 percent of the daily turnover.

PCH Holdings closed 40 cents higher at 1.40 rupees and PC Pharma closed 40 cents higher at 1.80 rupees, attracting most number of trades during the day.

Foreign investors bought 416.96 million rupees worth shares while selling 85.74 million rupees worth shares.

Commercial Bank closed 1.60 rupees higher at 135.00 rupees and National Development Bank closed 4.90 rupees higher at 199.90 rupees.

Ceylon Tobacco Company closed 4.90 rupees higher at 999.90 rupees and Nestle Lanka closed 4.00 rupees higher at 1,941.00 rupees.

Dialog Axiata closed 10 cents higher at 10.50 rupees and Sri Lanka Telecom closed 40 cents lower at 47.50 rupees.

Ceylon Beverage Holdings closed 38.10 rupees lower at 510.00 rupees and Lion Brewery Ceylon closed 4.30 rupees lower at 450.00 rupees.