Sri Lanka stock close up 0.6 pct

Dec 06, 2012 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's stocks closed 1.2 percent higher Thursday with foreign investors dominating trading, while the rupee closed higher after weakening in intra-day trade, brokers and dealers said. NDB Bank which exited a stake in Aviva insurance at a profit was actively traded with one million shares changing hands. The stock closed at 134 rupees up 3.00 rupees.

Commercial Bank closed at 99.00 rupees unchanged and Hatton National Bank closed at 141.00 rupees up 10 cents.

George Steuart Finance Plc, was the top contributor to the index according to stock exchange data with the share closing up 254 rupees at 778 rupees.

GSF had traded ten shares at 550 rupees at 11.32 hours and one share at 14.26 hours shortly before closing at 778 rupees.

The Colombo All Share Price Index closed at 5,387.33 points up 64.12 points and the S&P SL20 Index closed at 2,951.85 points up 28.71 points (0.98 percent).

In forex markets the rupee opened around 129.60/80 against the US dollar in the spot market and closed around the same levels after weakening to 129.00 rupees, dealers said.

In equity markets, turnover was 877 million rupees. Foreign investors dominated trading buying 641 million rupees worth of stocks and selling 521 million rupees worth.

Domestic investors bought 235 million rupees of stock and sold 355 million.

Nestle Lanka gained 103.7 rupees to close at 1,398 rupees and John Keells Holdings rose 1.40 to close at 210.70 up 1.40.