It was another quiet week at the bourse; low turnover and a fall in some share prices.The All Share Price Index (ASPI) finished for the week at 5892. Some are of the view that it is the festive air that has taken many off the market.
Although the market conditions were dull, Dialog Axiata finally finalised its US$ 34 million Suntel purchase, which paves the way to take up them to the No.1 slot in this sector, eventually. One may recall that prior to this announcement substantial quantities were transacted in this stock.
The heavily diversified JKH evoked an element of foreign interest again this week, closing at Rs 173.40. Aviva NDB Insurance which came out with good financial figures rose up to Rs 278.50 on Friday. J.L.Morisons Sons & Jones in which there is a share split pending until December 21 was up at Rs1300.
As extra emphasis is placed in the tourism sector, many new investors are moving in this direction, eg the Dilmah Group and PC House which is a quoted entity. Meanwhile the Citrus group which has made a strong impact in this sector, has on offer 15.5 million ordinary voting shares at Rs 20, to shareholders of Citrus Leisure PLC, in the ratio of 3 shares for every 7 shares held by them and to other qualified investors.Their recent IPOs -Waskaduwa Beach Resorts and Kalpitiya Beach Resorts were oversubscribed on day one itself.
Among the shares in the sector, Beruwela Walk Inn moved up to Rs 159 and Renuka City was up at Rs 344.90, but there was no excitement in the other shares. The encouraging news is that the hotels are reporting good occupancy figures.
The recent IPOs suffered further punishment on Friday; Expolanka dropped to its all time low of Rs.8.30, Textured Jersey to Rs.9.70 and People’s Leasing to Rs.15.20. Analysts believe that these stocks plus some other shares which are trading at attractive levels could draw those on the sidelines to the market.
The IPO of Asia Asset Finance which opened on 28th November closed on Thursday being fully subscribed.
Price bandss were removed from Entrust Securities on 14th December; Trade Finance & Investments on 15th December and from SMLL on 16th December.
Change in directorships were seen in Union Bank of Colombo PLC where Priyantha Damian Joseph Fernando was appointed a Director. At Capital Development & Investment Co. PLC, Vajira Kulatilaka was appointed a Director while at Blue Diamonds Jewellery Worldwide PLC, Ruwan Silva was appointed Chief Executive Officer.
The turnover for the week was a paltry Rs. 2.5 billion as against Rs 4.1 billion last week. Both indices were in dire straits, the ASPI losing 103.75 points or 1% to close at 5892.69 while the Milanka lost 96.44 points or 1% to end at 5134.68. |
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