Sri Lanka stocks close down 0.8-pct

Sep 02, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed down 0.80 percent on Wednesday for the third consecutive session with investors continuing to take profits, brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed down 58.36 points at 7,240.39 down 0.80 percent. S&P SL20 closed 26.05 points lower at 3,981.27 down 0.65 percent. “Investors continued to take profits from the market for a third consecutive day from the index heavy stocks,” Lanka Securities said. Turnover was 662 million rupees, down from 732 million rupees, Wednesday with 29 stocks closing positive against 122 negative. The main index showed losses in John Keells Holdings closed at 177.00 rupees, down 2.60 rupees and Ceylon Cold Stores closed at 379.50 rupees, down 20.30 rupees. Banking sector also made losses for a second day with Commercial Bank closing at 171.00 rupees, down 1.60 rupees with one off the floor trade of 350,000 shares at 171.00 rupees. DFCC Bank closed flat at 190.00 rupees. Hatton National Bank closed at 218.70 rupees, down 1.30 rupees and National Development Bank closed at 239.00 rupees, down 1.00 rupee. Dialog Axiata closed at 11.40 rupees, down 0.10 rupees.