Sri Lanka shares close up 0.4-pct

Aug 18, 2014 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's shares closed 0.44 percent higher, reversing the losses incurred last Friday with telco and tobacco stocks gaining, brokers said. The aggregate value of all off-the-floor deals represented 41 percent of the turnover.

MTD Walkers closed 5.30 rupees higher at 41.70 rupees, attracting most number of trades during the day.

Foreign investors bought 411.46 million rupees worth shares while selling 172.57 million rupees worth shares.

Ceylon Tobacco Company closed 39.80 rupees higher at 1,224.70 rupees, contributing most to the index gain.

Sri Lanka Telecom closed 1.60 rupees higher at 55.80 rupees.

The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed 30.86 points higher at 6,974.71, up 0.44 percent. The S&P SL20 closed 9.59 points higher at 3,830.57, up 0.25 percent.

Turnover was 1.79 billion rupees, down from 2.93 billion rupees last Friday with 75 stocks closed positive against 119 negative.

John Keells Holdings closed 2.00 rupees higher at 240.00 rupees with five off-market transactions of 674.55 million rupees changing hands at 240.00 rupees per share contributing 38 percent of the daily turnover.

JKHâ€™s W0022 warrants closed 20 cents lower at 70.00 rupees and its W0023 warrants closed 3.10 rupees higher at 80.00 rupees.