Tuesday Markets: ASPI hits 4-week high

By Mario Andree

The bullish run at the Colombo Stock Exchange continued for the fourth consecutive session on Tuesday (6) as the benchmark index rose to a new 4-week high on a relatively high turnover despite continued foreign exits from the Bourse.

The benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI), which started the day at 7,217.83 points gained 62.44 points (0.87 per cent) to close at 7,280.27 points, its highest since 9 March this year, while the more liquid S&P SL20, which started the day at 2,874.30 points gained 60.18 points (2.09 per cent) to close at 2,934.48 points.

The day’s turnover neared Rs 2.48 billion, higher than the Rs 2.1 billion recorded during the Market’s previous day’s trading. 

Shares of 249 listed companies were traded during the day of which 98 emerged as winners ahead of 72 losers.

More than 69.17 million shares changed hands during which 23,282 trades that took place.

Foreigners exited the CSE on Tuesday (06) for the seventh consecutive session. The net foreign outflow during the day amounted to Rs 189 million as foreigners sold shares worth Rs 231 million as against purchases worth Rs 42 million.

The top gainers at the Colombo Stock Exchange during the day were: Mahaweli Coconut Plantations, Swisstek, Udapussellawa Plantations, Hayleys, Lanka Walltile, Anilana Hotels, TAL Lanka, Royal Ceramic, Dipped Products and Dankotuwa Porcelain.

The top losers were: Blue Diamonds, LOLC Development Finance, Namunukula Plantations, Watawala Plantations, Nestle, Millennium Housing Development, Lankem Ceylon, Bukit Darah, Tea Smallholder and Kegalle Plantations.