Share price appreciations in banking sector counters as indices rise

By Hiran H. Senewiratne

Price appreciations were noted yesterday in selected stocks, especially banking sector counters. Both indices moved upwards. The All Share Price Index went up by 85.45 points while S and P SL20 rose by 37.13 points. Turnover stood at Rs 1.2 billion with two crossings.

Those crossings were reported in JKH, which crossed 811,000 shares to the tune of Rs 164 million and its shares traded at Rs 202.50 and NDB 261,000 shares crossed for Rs 20.3 million; its shares traded at Rs 38.

In the retail market top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; HNB Rs 87.6 million (437,000 shares traded), Dipped Products Rs 83.6 million (2.3 million shares traded), NTB Rs 60.5 million 9494,000 shares traded), JKH Rs 57.7 million (284,000 shares traded), Sunshine Holdings Rs 51.8 million (824,000 shares traded), JAT Holdings Rs 48.8 million (2.3 million shares traded), and DFCC Rs 45.5 million (590,000 shares traded). During the day 37.19 million share volumes changed hands in 9200 transactions.

Yesterday, the rupee opened weaker at Rs 302.20/35 to the US dollar, from Rs 302.10/20 to the dollar the previous day, dealers said. Bond yields were broadly steady. A bond maturing on 15.12.2026 was quoted at 9.70/80 percent, down from 9.70/85 percent. A bond maturing on 15.09.2027 was quoted stable at 10.35/45 percent. A bond maturing on 01.07.2028 was quoted stable at 10.80/90 percent. A bond maturing on 15.05.2030 was quoted at 11.65/75 percent up from 11.60/75 percent.