Sri Lanka *market update* ASPI close down;Turnover moderate

The market closed today posting a turnover of LKR 437,225,674 (USD 2.9mn) with the indexes moving down. ASPI closed at 6417.55 down 21.51 points (-0.33%) while the more liquid SP SL20 index closed at 3588.45 down 26.13 points (-0.72%). Crossings accounted for 43% of the turnover with one crossing each in TKYO.X (LKR 25mn; USD 174k), CTC.N (LKR 38mn; USD 261k), HNB.N (LKR 34mn; USD 236k) and CSF.N (LKR 91mn; USD 616k). Banking, Finance and Insurance Sector was the highest contributor towards the turnover at LKR 166mn followed by Manufacturing and Diversified sector generating LKR 56mn and LKR 53mn. Foreign investors were net buyers of LKR 106mn worth of shares, while their participation in terms of revenue increased to 16.1% (previous day 11.4%). Estimated net foreign buying topped in CTC.N LKR 38.7mn (USD 262k). Estimated net foreign selling topped in TKYO.NLKR 3.7mn (USD 25k). Retail activity was witnessed in counters such as AEL.N, TJL.N and GRAN.N