ASPI loses 0.4% during the week

The ASPI closed in green as a result of price gains in counters such as Hatton National Bank, Richard Pieris & Company and Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company with the turnover crossing Rs. 8.5 Bn. A similar behaviour was witnessed in the S&P SL20. High net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in Tokyo Cement Company, Teejay Lanka and Sampath Bank. Mixed interest was observed in Colombo Dockyard, Janashakthi Insurance Company and Hatton National Bank whilst retail interest was noted in Softlogic Capital, Renuka Agri Foods and ACME Printing & Packaging. Foreign participation in the market activity remained at subdued levels with foreigners closing as net sellers.

During the week, the ASPI lost by 0.4% and the S&P SL20 gained by 0.1%, whilst recording an average daily turnover of Rs. 5.31 Bn.

Materials sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to Tokyo Cement Company and Tokyo Cement Company nonvoting) whilst the sector index lost 0.35%. The share price of Tokyo Cement Company decreased by Rs 1.75 (1.65%) to close at Rs 104.50. The share price of Tokyo Cement Company nonvoting moved up by Rs 0.40 (0.46%) to close at Rs 86.70.

The Banking sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to Sampath Bank) whilst the sector index increased by 0.89%. The share price of Sampath Bank declined by Rs 0.25 (0.16%) to close at Rs 155.75.

Teejay Lanka and Colombo Dockyard were also included amongst the top turnover contributors. The share price of Teejay Lanka lost Rs 1.00 (2.60%) to close at Rs 37.50. The share price of Colombo Dockyard recorded a gain of Rs 2.00 (1.31%) to close at Rs 155.00.