Sampath Bank crossing contributes more than Rs. 590 million to CSE turnover

By Hiran H.Senewiratne

The CSE yesterday saw a massive crossing in Sampath Bank, where more than 10 million shares were traded, contributing more Rs 590 million to the CSE’s turnover, market analysts said.

At the outset, the market started on a negative note and selling pressure and profit- takings were noted but later the market became more positive and the index moved up 100 index points, following the Central Bank Governor’s positive comment on the domestic debt restructuring exercise, market analysts said.

Amid those developments both indices moved upwards. The All- Share Price Index went up by 137.26 points and S and P SL20 rose by 58.23 points. Turnover stood at Rs 2.26 billion with three crossings. Those crossings were reported in Sampath Bank, which crossed 8.25 million shares to the tune of Rs 462 million; its shares traded at Rs 56, HNB 1.89 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 262.5 million and its share fetched Rs 139 and JKH 350,000 shares crossed for Rs 51.1 million; its shares traded at Rs 146.

In the retail market, top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were Sampath Bank Rs 132 million (2.3 million shares traded), JKH Rs 124 million (836,000 shares traded), Softlogic Capital Rs 87.1 million (8.4 million shares traded), Commercial Bank Rs 77.2 million (1.1 million shares traded), Melstacorp Rs 68.1 million (1.1 million shares traded), Hayleys Rs 56.4 million (731,000 shares traded) and Pan Asia Bank Rs 53 million (4.1 million shares traded). During the day 90.4 million share volumes changed hands in 17000 transactions.

Yesterday, the Central Bank’s US dollar buying rate was Rs 299.83 and the selling rate Rs 314.92.