Moving up and down within a narrow range largely in line with the transacted price of JKH, the indices on the Colombo bourse yesterday closed marginally down on a turnover of Rs. 747.6 million, down from the previous day’s Rs. 806 million, with the ASPI losing 3.55 points (0.01%) and S&P SL20 down 3.88 points (0.10%) with 103 losers ahead of 92 gainers while 130 counters closed flat.
"The market moved up and then came down largely in line with JKH which hit a high of Rs. 178 but closed at Rs. 174," a broker said. "Investors are awaiting signals mostly on policies and the budget."
The silver lining was a net foreign inflow of Rs. 156 million with purchases of Rs. 298.08 million ahead of sales of Rs. 142.35 million.
There were three crossings in JKH at different prices, Rs. 174, Rs. 175 and Rs. 175.60 with a total of 0.5 million shares traded contributing Rs. 87.5 million to turnover and a block trade in HNB (voting) where a parcel of slightly over 0.31 million shares was crossed at Rs. 217 generating a turnover of Rs. 67.8 million.
JKH closed Rs. 1.30 down on the trading floor at Rs. 174 trading between Rs. 172 and Rs. 178 and contributing Rs. 54.1 million to turnover. The conglomerate’s warrants W0022 which will cease trading on Sept. 28 was heavily traded closing 10 cents down at Rs. 10.80 on over 1.38 million warrants done between Rs. 10 and Rs. 13 contributing Rs. 16.3 million to turnover.
Distilleries topped the floor trades closing Rs. 6.40 up at Rs. 279.90 on 0.37 million shares done between Rs. 274.50 and Rs. 280.10 contributing Rs. 103.5 million to turnover. Bairaha Farms followed closing Rs. 380 down at Rs. 200.10 on 0.28 million shares done between Rs. 197 and Rs. 207 generating a turnover of Rs. 56.4 million.
Grain Elevators and Three Acre Farms were also on the most traded list, both counters closing down with Grains down Rs. 2.20 to Rs. 93 on nearly 0.35 million shares (Rs. 32.8 million) and Three Acres down Rs. 1.20 to Rs. 144.50 on 0.1 million shares (Rs. 14.6 million).
"The ASPI ended flat amid subdued market turnover," John Keells Stock Brokers said in a market wrap. "Selected diversified, banking, food & beverage, manufacturing, power & energy, and footwear & textiles counters led activity levels with trading on JKH and HNB accounting for 28% of total turnover."
Diversified Holdings was the most actively traded sector (-0.16%), the report noted.
Courtesy: The Island 23 September 2015