Colombo shares close high on a short week

  The Colombo equities market on Thursday closed its shortened week (on account of Poya holiday on Friday) on a positive note, however local investors were net sellers with profit-taking, analysts said. “Local institutional and high net worth activity was seen in Amana Bank and People’s Leasing & Finance,” an analyst said, adding that foreign investors were active in John Keells Holdings and Laugfs Gas, while retail activity was witnessed in Access Engineering. Foreign inflows came to some Rs. 310.4 million with foreign outflows recording some Rs. 242.9 million. The Banking, Finance and Insurance Sector managed to record the highest turnover of some Rs. 275.7 million for the day, followed by the Diversified Holdings Sector and Manufacturing Sector with daily turnovers of Rs 123.2 million and Rs 81.1 million, respectively. The All Share Price index gained 0.45 per cent to close at 6,948.14 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.23 per cent to close at 3,909.58. The turnover for the day amounted to Rs. 729.7 million against the 12 month daily average turnover of Rs. 1,471.97 million, the volume traded for the day amounted to 38.8 million against the 12 month daily average volume of 70.2 million. - ENDS -