Sri Lanka *market update* ASPI close down; Low investor participation

The market closed today posting a turnover of LKR 161,753,984 (USD 1.1mn) with the indexes moving down. ASPI closed at 6439.06 down 5.91 points (-0.09%) while the more liquid SP SL20 index closed at 3614.58 down 5.32 points (-0.15%). Crossings accounted for 29% of the turnover with one crossing each in AEL.N (LKR 26mn; USD 176k) and CFIN.N (LKR 22mn; USD 146k). Banking, Finance and Insurance Sector was the highest contributor towards the turnover at LKR 56mn followed by Construction Sector and Beverage Food and Tobacco sector generating LKR 44mn and LKR 17mn. Foreign investors were net buyers of LKR 12mn worth of shares, while their participation in terms of revenue decreased to 11.4% (previous day 39.3%). Estimated net foreign buying topped in CTC.N LKR 7.7mn (USD 52k). Estimated net foreign selling topped in NDB.N LKR 1.3mn (USD 9k). Retail activity was witnessed in counters such as AEL.N, GRAN.N and ALLI.N