ASPI positively impacted by LOLC and Browns Investments shares

By Hiran H.Senewiratne 

CSE activities were relatively positive throughout yesterday and at one point the ASPI moved up by 80 points. During the latter part of the day index heavy LOLC and Browns Investments shares witnessed some price appreciation, thereby positively contributing to the All Share Price, stock market analysts said.

It is said that LOLC shares appreciated by  Rs. 48 or 13 percent, contributing 50 points to the All Share Price Index. Its shares traded at Rs. 342 and at some point they moved up to Rs. 412 and later settled at Rs. 387.75. Another company that mainly contributed to the Index was Browns Investments. Its shares traded at Rs. 5 the previous day and at the end of the day (yesterday) they moved to Rs. 5.50. Its shares appreciated by 10 percent and contributed 23 points to the market.

Amid those developments, both indices were positive. All Share Price Index was up by 148.02 points and S and P SL20 by 69.57 points. Turnover stood at Rs. 3.34 billion without any crossings.

In the retail market, companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were, LOLC Rs. 595.9 million (1.6 million shares traded), Haycarb Rs. 309 million (2.6 million shares traded), Browns Investments Rs. 267 million (49 million shares traded), JKH Rs. 221 million (1.4 million shares traded), Richard Piers Rs. 213 million (11.9 million shares traded) and Sampath Bank Rs. 168.4 million (1.1 million shares traded). During the day 123.5 million share volumes changed hands in 24543 transactions.   

Sri Lanka rupee was quoted weaker around 196.00/196.40 levels to the US dollar in the spot-next market on Thursday, while bond yields were quoted wider, dealers said. The rupee last closed in the spot-next market at 195.00/198.00 levels on Wednesday.