CSE’s main indices improve; turnover hits Rs. 1 billion mark

By Hiran H.Senewiratne

The CSE turnover improved close to average levels yesterday and both indices moved upwards. The All- Share Price Index went up by 87.48 points and S and P SL20 rose by 37.93 points. Turnover stood at Rs 1.39 billion with three crossings. Those crossings were reported in Melstacope, which crossed 800,000 shares to the tune of Rs 68.6 million; its shares traded at Rs 86, NTB 400,000 shares crossed for Rs 44 million and its shares traded at Rs 110 and Hayleys 250,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 23.4 million, its shares sold at Rs 93.50.

In the retail market top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; JKH Rs 218 million (1.13 million shares traded), CT Holdings Rs 123 million (502,000 shares traded), Hayley Fabrics Rs 107 million (2.2 million shares traded), Distilleries Rs 58 million (2.1 million shares traded), NTB Rs 42 million (381,000 shares traded), Lanka IOC Rs 33.6 million (291,000 shares traded) and Royal Ceramic Rs 33.5 million (1.1 million shares traded). During the day 76.6 million share volumes changed hands in 10377 transactions.

Yesterday, the rupee opened at Rs 323.50/324.10 to the US dollar, after closing on the previous day at Rs 323.70/324.20 to the US dollar, dealers said.

A bond maturing on 01.08.2026 was quoted at 15.50/70 percent on Wednesday, up from Tuesday’s close at 15.45/65 percent. A bond maturing on 01.05.2028 was quoted at 14.50/55 percent from closing at Tuesday at 14.30/55 percent