Shares close below key level of 6,500

REUTERS:  Sri Lankan shares closed below a key psychological level of 6,500 yesterday in thin trade as most investors stayed on the sidelines awaiting directions from corporate results and the budget scheduled for early next month.

The benchmark index of the Colombo Stock Exchange fell for a fourth straight session and ended 0.35 percent weaker at 6,487.13, its lowest close since Sept. 27. It has shed 1.45 percent in the past four sessions. “Investors will wait for clear directions on capital gain tax (in the budget),” said Prashan Fernando, CEO at Acuity Stockbrokers.

 “So until the budget, we may see low-volume trade.”Turnover was Rs.372.2 million (US$ 2.54 million), less than half of this year’s daily average of around Rs.750 million.

Foreign investors, who have sold a net Rs.2.37 billion (US$ 16.19 million) worth of shares so far this year, bought a net Rs.88.7 million worth equities.

Trading volumes have been low as cautious investors waited for announcements of corporate results for the September quarter starting later this month and for direction on economic policy when the country’s budget is unveiled early November, brokers said.

Top conglomerate John Keells Holdings fell 1.36 percent, while private lender Commercial Bank of Ceylon dropped 0.47 percent.