Sri Lanka stocks becalmed

Dec 06, 2011 (LBO) - Sri Lankan stocks closed almost stagnant Tuesday, after breaching the 6,000 point mark the day before, with trading also thin, brokers said. The main All Share Price Index fell 0.12 percent (7.27 points) to 5,988.65, while the more liquid Milanka index was stagnant, edging up 0.01 percent (0.44 points) to close at 5,156.39, according to provisional stock exchange figures.

Turnover fell to 776 million rupees.

There were two crossings or off-market private deals in Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings, one of 845,500 shares and the other of 850,000 shares, both at 66 rupees a share. The stock closed at 66 rupees, up 1.20,

Index heavyweight John Keells Holdings closed at 164 rupees, up 1.90, with 199,700 shares traded.

Orient Garments was the most activlely traded stock, and accounted for the largest turnover of the day, closing at 40.30 rupees, up 1.50 with 4.8 million shares done. It hit a high of 42.70 rupees during the day.

HVA Foods was also actively traded, closing at 39 rupees, up 30 cents, with 451,700 shares traded.

Trade Finance & Investments was another heavily traded stock, closing at 22.70 rupees, up 80 cents, after hitting a day's high of 24, with 535,400 shares changing hands.