Sri Lanka stocks close down 0.5-pct
May 14, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s stock closed down 0.52 percent Tuesday amid weak banking sector results as investors continued to take profits, brokers said.
The benchmark Colombo All Share Index closed 32.44 points lower at 6,206.59 down 0.52 percent and the S&P SL 20 Index closed 18.35 points lower at 3,500.50 down 0.52 percent.
Turnover was 636 million rupees up from 535 million rupees a day earlier with 143 stocks declining and only 72 making gains as domestic investors continued to take profits.
But foreigners bought 183 million rupees worth shares while selling 29 million rupees worth.
CSE data showed that Ceylinco Insurance which closed at 990.00 rupees down 100.00 rupees and Cargills which closed down 5.50 rupees at 159.50 and were the biggest contributors to today's market fall.
John Keells Holdings which closed up 3.10 rupees at 273.00 made the biggest positive contribution to the index. The stock was trading at 219.00 rupees in January 2013.
Weak results from banks continued to weigh on the market, with some results coming after market closed.
Hatton National Bank closed at 165.10 rupees down 2.90 rupees while DFCC Bank closed flat at 147.10 rupees.
Commercial Bank closed at 116.00 rupees down 1.20 rupees and National Development Bank closed at 179.00 rupees up 10 cents.
Pan Asia closed at 21.80 rupees down 10 cents. Union Bank closed at 20.30 rupees down 40 cents and Sampath Bank loss 90 cents to close at 227.00 rupees.
LB Finance closed at 134.50 rupees down 50 cents, Peoples Leasing and Finance lost 20 cents to close at 15.00 rupees and Commercial Leasing and Finance closed flat at 4.60 rupees.
Diesel & Motor Engineering gained 85.40 rupees to close at 605.40 rupees following a media report speculating that car taxes will be brought down.
NDB Capital Holding closed at 499.30 up 18.30 rupees.
Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka lost 3.00 rupees to close 182.00 rupees and The Lion Brewery Ceylon closed at 370.00 rupees down 2.00 rupees.
Ceylon Tobacco Company lost 90 cents to close at 828.10 rupees.
Nestle Lanka closed at 1850.20 rupees down by 5.80 rupees.
Aitken Spence closed at 135.00 down 1.50 rupees. Browns Investments closed flat at 3.50 rupees.
Softlogic Holding lost 50cents to close at 12.00 rupees.
Hayleys closed at 300.30 rupees up 30 cents and Vallibel One closed at 20.00 rupees down by 40 cents.
Sri Lanka Telecom lost 30 cents to close at 42.60 and Dialog Axiata closed at 9.50 rupees down 10 cents.