Sri Lanka stocks close down 0.1-pct: Profit taking

Sep 01, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed down 0.11 percent on Tuesday with investor taking profit and losses in the banking sector stocks, brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed down 8.19 points at 7,298.75 down 0.11 percent. S&P SL20 closed 18.94 points lower at 4,024.09 down 0.47 percent. “Almost all the banking sector stocks made losses as investors took profits from the market today,” Lanka Securities said. Turnover was 732 million rupees, up from 518 million rupees, Monday with 77 stocks closing positive against 70 negative. The main index showed losses in banking sector stocks with Commercial Bank closing at 172.60 rupees, down 1.40 rupees and DFCC Bank closed at 190.00 rupees, down 4.90 rupees. Hatton National Bank closed at 220.00 rupees, down 2.00 rupees and National Development Bank closed at 240.00 rupees, down 1.00 rupees. Ten million shares of Ceylon Hotels Corporation was traded off the floor at 30.00 rupees with the stock closing at 27.00 rupees, down 0.20 rupees. "Ceylon Hotels Coporation lead the turnover list with 301 million aided by a negotiated deal on the stock and the trade accounted for 41 percent of the total turnover," Lanka Securities said. Foreigners were net sellers for the day with a total net foreign outflow of 97 million. Dialog Axiata closed flat 11.50 rupees for a second consecutive day and John Keells Holdings closed at 180.00 rupees, down 0.60 rupees.