Sri Lanka stocks closed up 0.70 pct

October 18, 2012 (LBO) - Sri Lanka stocks closed up 0.70 percent Thursday with several blue chips making marginal gains. The Colombo All Share Index closed at 5,625.32 up 38.92 points and the S & P SL 20 Index closed 11.67 points higher at 3,029.00 up 0.39 percent.

Turnover was 621 million rupees. JKH led the day's turnover with 185 million rupees, Hunas Falls with 58 million rupees and Chevron with 31 million rupees. Most active counters for the day were Nation Lanka Finance, Lanka Hospitals and HVA Foods.

Aitken Spence PLC gained 2.90 rupees to close at 128.70 rupees up 2.31 percent.

Commercial Bank gained 1.20 rupees to close at 106.00 rupees up 1.15 percent. DFCC Bank closed flat at 110.00 rupees. Hatton National Bank PLC closed flat at 153.90 rupees.

Dialog Axiata PLC slipped 0.10 cents to close at 8.40 rupees down 1.18 percent

Index heavy John Keells Holdings PLC slipped 1.00 rupees to close at 203.90 rupees down 0.49 percent.