Notable buying interest in blue-chip shares; SLT share price dips

By Hiran H.Senewiratne

CSE trading was bullish and positive yesterday since retail and institutional buyers showed some buying interest in several blue-chip stocks, mainly, JKH, Hayleys, LB Finance and banking stocks, market analysts revealed.

However, the SLT share price decreased by 8 percent or Rs 8 due to certain negative news reports on its share price. Its share price moved to Rs 85.10 from Rs 93.10.

Amid those developments both indices moved upwards. The All- Share Price Index went up by 58.41 points and S and P SL20 rose by 17.24 points. Turnover stood at Rs 2.2 billion with six crossings. Those crossings were reported in JKH, which crossed 3.35 million shares to the tune of Rs 469 million, its shares traded at Rs 140, Hayleys 4.6 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 329.3 million and its shares traded at Rs 71, LB Finance two million shares crossed for Rs 107 million; its shares traded at Rs 53.50, Hemas Holdings 466,000 shares crossed for Rs 30.6 million and its shares fetched Rs 65.80, Colombo Port Lands 800,000 shares crossed for Rs 22.4 million; its shares traded at Rs 28 and Sierra Cables two million shares crossed for Rs 21 million and its shares fetched Rs 10.50.

In the retail market top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were, JKH Rs 506.5 million (3.6 million shares traded), Lanka IOC Rs 126.6 million (981,000 shares traded), Sampath Bank Rs 88.7 million (1.8 million shares traded), SLT Rs 62.4 million (726,000 shares traded), Hayleys Rs 55.8 million (645,000 shares traded), First Capital Rs 37.4 million (1.1 million shares traded) and LOLC Finance Rs 32.6 million (6.4 million shares traded). During the day 52.7 million share volumes changed hands in 11000 transactions.

The spot US dollar opened at Rs 294.50/296.00 and the bonds were steady on the previous day, dealers said. The Spot US dollar closed at Rs 294.0/295.50 on the previous day.

A bond maturing on 15.09.2027 was quoted at 23.40/60 percent unchanged from a day earlier. A bond maturing on 15.05.2026 was quoted at 24.30/60 percent steady from 24.15/25.30 percent from last close.