Sri Lanka *market update* ASPI close down, Lack of investor activity

The market closed today posting a turnover of LKR 301,293,313 (USD 2.0mn) with the indexes moving down. ASPI closed at 6418.34 down 29.2 points (-0.45%) while the more liquid SP SL20 index closed at 3586.96 down -7.63 points (-0.21%). There were no crossings recorded during the day. Banking and Finance sector was the highest contributor towards the turnover at LKR 120mn followed by Manufacturing and Diversified sector generating LKR 65mn and LKR 36mn. Foreign investors were net buyers of LKR 62mn worth of shares, while their participation in terms of revenue decreased to 22.2% (previous day 49.0%). Estimated net foreign buying topped in COMB.N LKR 34.6 (USD 235k). Estimated net foreign selling topped in HNB.N LKR 5.2mn (USD 35k). Retail activity was witnessed in counters such as LIOC.N, CFVF.N and JKH.N