ASPI soars beyond 12,000, first time in 2 years

By Hiran H. Senewiratne

The All Share Price Index (ASPI) on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) crossed the 12,000 points mark at the end of trading yesterday for the first time since 21st February 2022, market analysts said.

The bullish trend extended due to the prevailing favourable outlook on Sri Lanka’s external debt restructuring exercise.

Further, the banking sector counters, especially Sampath Bank contributed more than 50 percent to the turnover, they said.

Amid those developments both indices moved upwards. All Share Price Index up by 70.6 points while S and P SL 20 up by 33.8 points. Turnover stood at Rs 2.96 billion with three crossings. Those crossings were reported in Sampath Bank which crossed Rs 80 worth share amounting to 15 million shares to the tune of Rs 1.2 billion,is considered to be major transactions for the day which contributed more than 50 percent to the turnover, LOLC Holdings, 250,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 101.8 million and it’s share price traded at Rs 410 and Hayley Fabrics 1.5 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 60.8 million and it’s share price traded at Rs 40.50.

In the retail market top six companies that mainly contributes to the turnover were Sampath Bank Rs 220 million (2.7 million shares traded),LOLC Holdings Rs 186 million (454,000 shares traded), Commercial Bank Rs 83 million (747,000 shares traded), HNB Rs 78.6 million (386,000 shares traded), Pan Asian Bank Rs 63.4 million (7.6 million shares traded) and Central Industries Rs 55.8 million (465,000 shares traded). During the day 88.7 million shares volumes changed hands in 13,135 transactions.

Meanwhile, the rupee opened at Rs 298.40/50 to the US dollar in the spot forex market , stronger from Rs 298.60/65 on the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields were steady. A bond maturing on 15.12.2026 was quoted stable at 11.30/40 percent.A bond maturing on 15.12.2028 was quoted at 12.10/15 percent from 12.05/15 percent.