Share market remains in positive territory as blue chips take centre stage

By Hiran H. Senewiratne

The stock market was driven mainly yesterday by a few blue chip companies, including Lanka IOC, Hayley s Fabrics and Hema’s Holdings. Both indices were on an upward trend.

The All Share Price Index went up by 18.79 points, while the S and P SL 20 rose by 19.01 points. Turnover stood at Rs 1.62 billion with two crossings. Those crossings were reported in Union Chemical, which crossed 54000 shares to the tune of Rs 29.36 million; its shares traded at Rs 540 and CIC (Non- Voting) 548,000 shares crossed for Rs 27.4 million; its shares traded at Rs 50.

In the retail market top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were, Hayleys Fabrics Rs 133 million (3 million shares traded), Lanka IOC Rs 131 million (1.1 million shares traded), Hema’s Holdings Rs 104.2 million (1.2 million shares traded), Sampath Bank Rs 69.7 million (894,000 shares traded), Softlogic Capital Rs 61.2 million (8.4 million shares traded), Richard Pieris Rs 55.5 million (2.5 million shares) and HNB Rs 52.4 million (319,000 shares traded). During the day 76.2 million share volumes changed hands in 15200 transactions.Yesterday, the US dollar buying rate was Rs 300.60 and selling rate Rs 310.20.