Sri Lanka stocks close down 0.1-pct

June 19, 2014 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's stocks closed 0.07 percent lower with index heavy John Keells Holdings losing ground despite net foreign buying, brokers said. Ceylon Tobacco Company closed 5.00 rupees lower at 990.00 rupees and Nestle Lanka closed 52.00 rupees higher at 1,975.00 rupees.

Hayleys closed 6.80 rupees lower at 292.20 rupees and Dialog Axiata closed 20 cents higher at 10.40 rupees.

The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed 4.41 points lower at 6,313.20, down 0.07 percent. The S&P SL20 closed 8.82 points lower at 3,490.67, down 0.25 percent.

Turnover was 683.59 million rupees, down from 713.88 million rupees a day earlier with 67 stocks closed positive against 106 negative.

Foreign investors bought 248.45 million rupees worth shares while selling 142.52 million rupees worth shares.

Index heavy John Keells Holdings closed 5.00 rupees lower at 222.10 rupees, contributing most to the index drop for the second consecutive day while attracting most number of trades during the day.

The diversified conglomerate also had three off-market transactions of 102.39 million rupees changing hands at 233.20 rupees per share contributing 15 percent of the daily turnover.

JKHâ€™s W0022 warrants closed 90 cents lower at 59.10 rupees and its W0023 warrants closed 40 cents lower at 69.10 rupees.

Commercial Bank closed 30 cents higher at 135.00 rupees with market transactions of 103.58 million rupees changing hands at the same price per share contributing 15 percent of the turnover.