Colombo bourse closed with mixed returns on Wednesday despite the higher market activity. Benchmark index edged lower for the fourth straight day to close at 6,153.13, with a loss of 5.99 index points (-0.10%). High caps constituent, S&P SL20 index advanced by 9.35 index points or 0.27% to end at 3,447.75.
Premier blue-chip counter, John Keells Holdings (closed at LKR 140.60, +1.2%) drove the index to positive territory with high investor preference. However, price declines in Ceylinco Insurance (closed at LKR 1,220.80, -18.1%), Ceylon Tobacco (closed at LKR 800.40, -1.6%) and Hatton National Bank (closed at LKR 221.00, -1.3%) adversely impacted the index.
Daily market turnover reached LKR 958mn, boosted by negotiated deals in blue-chips which accounted for 75% of the turnover. John Keells Holdings was the major contributor to the turnover with LKR 785mn underpinned by seven crossings of 4.9mn shares at LKR 139.00-140.00.
Sizeable contribution was seen in Lanka Hospitals (LKR 33mn), Chevron Lubricants (LKR 32mn) and Hemas Holdings (LKR 20mn). Single crossing was recorded in Chevron Lubricants where 0.2mn shares changed hands at LKR 155.00.
Apart from JKH, LOLC Finance, SMB Leasing and Melstacorp witnessed high investor activity. After three days of listing, Melstacorp counter closed with a positive gain of 1% at LKR 55.50.
Shares of Summit Finance advanced to LKR 30.00 but closed at LKR 29.00 (+12.8%) following the announcement on proposed acquisition by Prime Lands (Pvt) Ltd. Company intends to acquire 75.5% of the issued shares of Summit Finance at a price of LKR 30.00 per share.
Foreign investors were net sellers with a net foreign outflow of LKR 745mn. Foreign participation was 46%. Net foreign outflows were seen in John Keells Holdings (LKR 729mn), Lanka Hospitals (LKR 33mn) and Tokyo Cement (LKR 7mn). Net foreign inflow was mainly seen in Hemas Holdings (LKR 20mn).
Meanwhile, at the Treasury bill auction today, yields increased across the board. Three month rate advanced by 6bps to 8.78%, six month rate increased to 9.79% (+16bps) and one year treasury bill yield increased to 10.22% (+5bps). CBSL offered LKR 31.5bn worth Treasury bills and the auction was oversubscribed by 2.4 times with bids received amounting to LKR 76.1bn. It was decided to accept LKR 31.2bn worth of treasury bills.
Source: LSL
No comments:
Post a Comment