Sri Lanka stocks close down 0.5-pct; JKH hits 52 week low

May 29, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s stocks closed down 0.49 percent with John Keells Holdings closing at a 52 week low price and investors continuing to take profits, brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed 35.42 points lower at 7,220.29 down 0.49 percent. The S&P SL20 closed 34.38 points lower at 4,000.01 down 0.85 percent. Turnover was 1.26 billion rupees down from 1.38 billion rupees on Thursday, with 88 stocks closing positive against 87 negative. “Foreigners continued to be net sellers for a fourth consecutive day while investors continued to take profit,” Lanka Securities said. The ASPI was dragged down by Ceylon Tabacco Company closing at 960.20 rupees, down 32.80 rupees and JKH closing at a 52 week low price of 195.10 rupees, down 4.90 rupees. Top contributor to turnover was Commercial Bank closing at 162.90 rupees, down 1.30 rupees with 500,000 shares traded off the floor at 164.00 rupees. DFCC closed at 210.10 rupees, up 0.60 rupees.