Sri Lanka stocks close with highest intra-day loss in 5 months   

Jan 12, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed down at 1.74 percent for a seventh consecutive day with losses across the board as regional markets also dropped, brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index shed 115.97 points to end at 6,534.35 down 1.74 percent. S&P SL20 closed 71.00 points down at 3,392.04 down 2.05 percent. Turnover was at 998 million rupees, with only 18 stocks closing positive against 156 negative. The main index showed losses in Lion Brewery closing at 551.40 rupees, down 58.60 rupees and John Keells Holdings closing at 163.30 rupees. "Market confidence is low as local and global economic concerns are effecting investor sentiment," Lanka Securities said. Losses were also seen in the banking sector Commercial Bank closing at 135.00, rupees, down 2.60 rupees and Hatton National Bank closed at 200.90 rupees, down 4.40 rupees. DFCC closed at 153.50 rupees, down 2.50 rupees. Peoples Insurance started trading on the CSE today and closed at 14.90 rupees, down 0.10 rupees with over 1.5 million shares traded.