Sri Lanka stocks close up 0.32-pct

May 05, 2015 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's stocks closed higher at 0.32 per cent, with the banking and apparel sector stocks trading actively, brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed 23.11 points higher at 7,202.11 up 0.32 per cent. The S&P SL20 closed 10.71 points higher at 4,064.16 up 0.26 per cent. “Investors are trading more actively with four crossings recorded during the trading day,” Lanka Securities said. “We are also expecting the Treasury bill rates to drop at tomorrow’s auction.” Turnover was 1.11 billion rupees up from 801.77 million rupees on last Thursday, with 118 stocks closing positive against 67 negative. In the banking sector DFCC closed at 220.00 rupees, up 4.00 rupee and Hatton National Bank closed at 232.00 rupees, up 1.20 rupees. Commercial Bank closed at 172.00 rupees, up 0.10 rupees. NDB closed at 271.30 rupees, up 4.90 rupees with a crossing of 100,000 shares at 270.00 rupees. Textured Jersey closed at 28.20 rupees, up 0.80 rupees with 2.1 million shares traded. Index heavy John Keells Holdings dropped 20 cents to close at 206.00 rupees with a crossing of 305,000 shares 206.90 rupees. Sri Lanka Telecom closed 30 cents lower at 46.80 rupees. Crossings were also recorded at Nestle Lanka and Heyleys with the stock’s closing 2,290 rupees, down 10.00 rupees with a crossing of 50,000 at 2,299.00 rupees and the later closing at 320.50 rupees, up 0.60 rupees with a crossing of 100,000 shares recorded.