Sri Lanka stocks close down 0.20-pct

Dec 01, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed down at 0.20 percent for the fifth straight day on Tuesday on sustained selling pressure triggered by weak domestic cues, brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed down 13.96 points at 6,895.19 down 0.20 percent. S&P SL20 closed 6.35 points lower at 3,651.69 down 0.17 percent.

Turnover was 509 million rupees, lower than the daily average of 1.1 billion rupees with 82 stocks closing positive against 88 negative.

“The main index lost nearly 1.7 percent during the six post-budget sessions and the year-to-date loss is closing 6 percent.” The main index showed losses in Carsons Cumberbtach closing at 350.00 rupees, down 2.8 percent and Dialog Axiata closing at 10.60 rupees, down 0.9 percent. Bukit Darah closed at 510.00 rupees, down 1.0 percent. Candor Opportunities Fund managed to touch a high of 10.80 rupees during the session, but closed at the IPO price of 10.00 rupees. Foreign investors were net buyers of 195 million rupees worth of shares while foreign activity was at 46 percent. Top net inflows were seen in Peoples Leasing 87 million rupees, Ceylon Tobacco 73 million rupees and John Keells Holdings 22 million rupees. Top net outflows were seen in Commercial Bank 14 million rupees followed by Dialog Axiata 3 million rupees.