Sri Lanka *market update* ASPI close down 0.2-pct, Turnover Rs. 1.3bn

The ASPI declined sharply mainly due to price dips in stocks such as John Keells Holdings, Ceylon Cold Stores and Asiri Hospital Holdings.The day’s turnover crossed LKR 1.3bn mark to which National Development Bank made the highest contribution (c.16% to total turnover). Crossings were recorded in Ceylon Tobacco Company and TokyoCement Company Lanka (Voting).The bourse saw net foreign selling during the day.The All Share Price Index lost 15.5 points to close at 6,588.3 (-0.2%), while the S&P SL20 Index lost 14.2 points to close at 3,613.8 (-0.4%).
Total turnover for the day stood at LKR 1,317.0mn (USD 9,064.8k) vs. 12-months average daily turnover of LKR 936.8mn (USD 6,448.1k), whilst the volume traded for the day was 31,009k against the 12-month average daily volume of 37,066k.Top contributory counters towards the day’s turnover were National Development Bank LKR 213.0mn(USD 1,465.9k, -0.1%), Ceylon Tobacco Company LKR 208.0mn (USD 1,431.8k, +0.0%), Tokyo Cement Company Lanka (Voting) LKR 140.4mn (USD 966.4k, -1.8%), Ceylon Grain Elevators LKR 89.1mn (USD 613.3k, -0.9%), Royal Ceramics Lanka LKR 78.2mn (USD 538.2k, +0.6%).Foreign purchases amounted to LKR 336.5mn (USD 2,316.4k), whilst foreign sales amounted to LKR 572.9mn (USD 3,942.9k). This resulted in a net foreign outflow of LKR 236.3mn being recorded at the end of the day’s trading.