Premier blue chip John Keells Holdings has regained the mantle as the most valuable company on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) after losing it briefly to diversified LOLC Holdings PLC, which enjoyed a stunning rally in January.

LOLC shares were down 38 percent from its recent intraday high of Rs.574 hit on January 29, and closed at Rs.354.75 yesterday, down Rs.79.75 or 18.35 percent from the previous close. The LOLC share hit an intraday low of Rs.325 on February 11.

Despite the steep fall over the past two weeks, LOLC still remains as the third largest or third most valued company on the CSE with a market capitalization of Rs.168.5 billion as of yesterday, accounting for 5.10 percent of the total market capitalization.

The market capitalization of JKH as of yesterday was Rs.206.8 billion. JKH share closed Rs.3.25 or 2.03 percent down yesterday.

Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC was the second most valued company on the CSE with a market capitalization of Rs.203.2 billion. The Ceylon Tobacco share closed at Rs.1, 085 yesterday, unchanged from the previous close.