Sri Lanka stocks close down 0.5-pct: JKH recording losses

Jun 15, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s stocks closed down at 0.49 percent following two straight days of gains with losses in stocks like JKH, Nestle Lanka and Bukit Darah, Tuesday, brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed 34.37 points lower at 7,044.60 down 0.49 percent. The S&P SL20 closed 15.90 points lower at 3,911.06 down 0.40 percent. Turnover was 861 million, up from 730 million rupees Monday with 72 stocks closing positive against 112 negative. The main index was dragged down by Nestle Lanka closing at 2,020.50 rupees, down 109.50 rupees and Bukit Darah closed at 670.00 rupees, down 10.00 rupees. Top contributor to turnover was John Keells Holdings closing at 193.10 rupees, down 1.30 rupees with a three off the floor trades amounting to 1.12 million shares recorded at 193.00 rupees. “The index dropped mainly because of losses recorded in the illiquid stock counters,” Lanka Securities said. Most banking sector stocks also reported losses, Sampath Bank closed at 254.00 rupees, down 1.00 rupees with three off the floor trades of 501,000 shares at 253.00 rupees. DFCC closed at 201.00 rupees, down 5.50 rupees and Hatton National bank closed at 172.00 rupees, down 0.10 rupees. Ceylon Tobacco Company closed at 908.90 rupees, down 6.10 rupees. Dialog Axiata closed at 11.30 rupees, down 0.10 rupees.