Sri Lanka stocks up 0.3-pct,turnover four year low

Mar 17, 2014 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's stocks end 0.3 percent higher partly reversing the last weekâ€™s losses with turnover dropping to a near five-year low, brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed 17.88 points higher at 5,914.11 up 0.30 percent. The S&P SL20 closed 6.31 points higher at 3,213.42, up 0.20 percent.

Turnover was 91.19 million rupees, the lowest turnover recorded since April 2009 with 80.9 million rupees.

60 stocks close positive against 76 negative.

Foreign investors bought 6.41 million rupees worth shares while selling 11.30 million rupees of shares.

Ceylon Grain Elevators closed 10 cents higher at 36.50 rupees attracting most number of trades during the day with poultry farm sector showing most trades.

Ceylon Tobacco Company closed 20.10 rupees higher at 1,120.00 rupees and Ceylinco Insurance closed 99.90 rupees higher at 1,449.90 rupees, contributing most to the index gain.

Carson Cumberbatch closed 9.70 rupees higher at 350.00 rupees and Commercial Leasing and Finance closed 20 cents higher at 4.00 rupees.

Distilleries closed 3.30 rupees lower at 199.50 rupees and John Keells Holdings closed 1.90 rupees lower at 218.10 rupees.

JKHâ€™s W0022 warrants closed flat at 62.00 rupees and its W0023 warrants closed 20 cents higher at 64.90 rupees.

SLT closed 50 cents lower at 44.00 rupees and Bukit Darah closed 6.50 rupees higher at 551.10 rupees.

Nestle Lanka closed 17.20 rupees higher at 1,990.50 rupees.