Bourse’s fortunes pick-up as turnover remains in Rs. 1 billion region

By Hiran H.Senewiratne

Both CSE indices moved up yesterday as the share market picked in mid-day. The All Share Price Index went up by 15.86 points while S and P SL20 rose by 9.1 points. Turnover stood at Rs 1.3 billion with three crossings.

Those crossings were reported in Hayleys Fabrics, which crossed 550,000 shares to the tune of Rs 25.3 million; its shares traded at Rs 40, HNB 150,000 shares crossed for Rs 25.2 million; its shares traded at Rs 158 and Lankem Developments 1.2 million shares crossed for Rs 23.4 million; its shares sold at Rs 19.50.

In the retail market top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; Browns Investments Rs 86 million (16.5 million shares traded), First Capital Holdings Rs 78.1 million (2.4 million shares traded), HNB Rs 66.2 million (402,000 shares traded), Hayleys Fabrics Rs 62.2 million (1.4 million shares traded), Frist Capital Trading Rs 50.1 million (2 million shares traded), Lanka IOC Rs 58.7 million (533,000 shares traded) and Chevron Lubricants Rs 49.6 million (477,000 shares traded). During the day 69.7 million share volumes changed hands in 15000 transactions.

Yesterday the rupee opened at Rs 304.60/65 to the US dollar in the spot forex market, slightly stronger from Rs 305.20/25 last Friday, dealers said, while bond yields were down.

A bond maturing on 15.12.2026 was quoted stable at 11.30/40 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2028 was quoted down at 12.07/15 percent from 12.10/15 percent.