CSE records Rs. 3.4 billion turnover as investor sentiment rises

By Hiran H.Senewiratne

The CSE yesterday snapped a four-day losing streak as investor sentiment bounced back slightly after the Central Bank kept policy rates unchanged. Trading activities were positive at the beginning of the day and by mid- session the market witnessed selling pressure and later began to recover, stock market analysts said.

The bourse jumped back to the green zone from Wednesday’s massive downfall while recording a two-and-a-half-week high gain as CBSL announced policy rates to be maintained at the current level, analysts added.

Amid those developments the market recorded a healthy turnover level. Both indices moved upwards. All Share Price Index went up by 2.16 points and S and P SL20 rose by 2.07 points. Turnover stood at Rs 3.4 billion with ten crossings. Those crossings were reported in Sampath Bank where 5.4 million shares crossed for Rs. 299.7 million, its shares traded at Rs 54.50, Vallibel One 3.2 million shares crossed for Rs 189 million, its shares traded at Rs 60, Kotagala Plantations 25 million shares crossed for Rs 160 million, its shares traded at Rs 6.40, Royal Ceramic three million shares crossed for Rs 141 million, its shares traded at Rs. 47 and ACL Cables 1.9 million shares crossed for Rs 85.5 million and its shares traded at Rs 45. Meanwhile, JKH 500,000 shares crossed for Rs 44.7 million, its shares traded at Rs 149, TJ Lanka one million shares crossed for Rs 43 million its shares fetching Rs 43, Laugfs Gas one million shares crossed for Rs 27 million, its share being traded at Rs 27, Lanka IOC one million shares crossed for Rs 27 million, its shares traded at Rs 27 and Dialog 1.9 million share volumes changed hands for Rs 21.3 million and its shares traded at Rs 11.25.

In the retail market, five companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were, Expolanka Holdings Rs 317 million (1.6 million shares traded), ACL Cables Rs 283 million (5.7 million shares traded), Royal Ceramic Rs 272 million (5.6 million shares traded), LOLC Holdings Rs 157 million (257,000 shares traded) and Browns Investments Rs 155 million (14.8 million shares traded). During the day 142.8 million share volumes changed hands in 24000 transactions.

Yesterday, the Sri Lanka rupee was quoted at Rs 201.25 to a US dollar. This was the Central Bank ‘s controlled price, which cannot exceed the Rs 202 level to prevent escalations of prices in essential goods. However, the real price of a dollar would be more than that, market sources said.