Sri Lanka stocks close down 0.2-pct; Foreigners net sellers

Jun 11, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s stocks closed down at 0.17 percent for the fourth consecutive day, Thursday with index heavy stocks making losses and foreign investors were net sellers , brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed 11.93 points lower at 7,051.52 down 0.17 percent. The S&P SL20 closed 8.93 points lower at 3,904.90 down 0.21 percent. Turnover was 835 million rupees, up from 363 million Wednesday with 74 stocks closing positive against 93 negative. “Foreign investors were net sellers of 69.4 million rupees worth of shares on Thursday, extending net foreign outflows to 1.53 billion rupees in equities in the past 12 sessions,’ Lanka Securities said. “The bourse has seen net inflows of 4.41 billion rupees in equities so far this year.” The main index was dragged down by losses in Ceylinco Insurance closing at 1,501.30 rupees down 98.60 rupees and Nestle Lanka closing at 2,110.30 rupees, down 29.70 rupees. In the banking sector, Sampath Bank closed at 255.00 rupees and DFCC closed at 208.00 rupees, up 1.00 rupee. Commercial Bank closed at 161.10 rupees, down 0.90 rupees. Stockbrokers said better corporate earnings would help the market gain.