Sri Lanka stocks close up 0.6-pct

Feb 26, 2014 (LBO) - Sri Lanka stocks close 0.63 percent higher Wednesday ending a nine day negative rally with gains in the tobacco and diversified stocks, brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed 36.89 points higher at 5,872.81, up 0.63 percent. The S&P SL20 closed 8.74 points higher at 3,188.80, up 0.27 percent.

Turnover was 446.57 million rupees, up from 426.93 million rupees a day earlier, with stocks of 59 firms closing in the red against 128 gainers.

Distilleries closed 2.10 rupees lower at 204.90 rupees with 58.75 million rupees of an off market transaction contributing to 13 percent of the daily turnover.

JKHâ€™s W0022 warrants closed 3.20 rupees higher at 60.40 rupees and its W0023 warrants closed 2.80 rupees higher at 63.80 rupees, attracting most number of trades during the day.

Foreigners bought 140.33 million rupees worth shares while selling 115.87 million rupees of shares.

JKH closed 5.70 rupees higher at 212.00 rupees and Ceylon Tobacco Company closed 7.70 rupees higher at 1,098.40 rupees, contributing most to the index gain.

Nestle Lanka ended 26.60 rupees higher at 2,016.60 rupees following the announcement of an interim dividend of 32.00 rupees and a final dividend of 28.00 rupees per share.

Commercial Leasing and Finance closed 20 cents higher at 4.10 rupees and Bukit Darah ended 9.00 rupees lower at 545.00 rupees.

Carson Cumberbatch ended 1.80 rupees lower at 350.50 rupees.