Banking sector counters emanate negative sentiments as indices decline

By Hiran H.Senewiratne

Most of the CSE’s banking sector counters registered negative sentiments yesterday while buying interest was seen in financial sector counters, stock market analysts said. Both indices moved downwards. The All- Share Price Index went down by 21.8 points and S and P SL20 declined by 30.3 points. Turnover stood at Rs 4.18 billion with six crossings.

Those crossings were reported in Agalawatta Plantation, which crossed 10.9 million shares to the tune of Rs 436.4 million; its shares traded at Rs 39.90, Melstacope 2.5 million shares crossed for Rs 207.5 million; its shares traded at Rs 83, Sampath Bank 1.6 million shares crossed for Rs 120 million and its shares sold at Rs 73.30, HNB 150,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 27.5 million; its shares fetched Rs 183, Hemas Holdings 260,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 20.7 million; its shares traded at Rs 79.70 and Vallibel Finance 500,000 shares crossed for Rs 20.5 million and its shares fetched Rs 41.

In the retail market, the top five companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; Commercial Credit Rs 303.2 million (7.7 million shares traded), Hayleys Fabrics Rs 226 million (5.5 million shares traded), Capital Alliance Rs 217 million (2.9 million shares traded), Central Finance Rs 212 million (1.6 million shares traded) and Pan Asia Bank Rs 194 million (8.5 million shares traded). During the day 129.4 million share volumes changed hands in 31446 transactions.

Yesterday the rupee opened at Rs 323.50/324.50 to the US dollar after closing on Wednesday at 322.00/323.00 to the US dollar, dealers said. A bond maturing on 15.09.2027 was quoted up at 13.10/18 on Friday, up from Thursday’s close at 12.95/10 percent. A bond maturing on 01.05.2028 was quoted at 13.10/18, up from 13.05/15 percent.