Dull week pushes indices further down at Colombo

Colombo All Share Price Index (ASPI) dropped below 6,500 mark during the day to post a new low since December 2010 while Milanka Price Index (MPI) dropped once below 6,000 mark, a new low since September 2010. Buying witnessed during the latter half could not help the indices close in green. Week ended with ASPI and MPI dipping 3.54% and 4.46% respectively.

Diversified sector was the main contributor to the market turnover on Friday the 22 July due to Vallibel One (VONE) and Aitken Spence (SPEN), while the sector index decreased by 0.93%.Vallibel One (VONE) was the main contributor to the market turnover. The share price decreased by Rs.0.10 (0.33%) and closed at Rs.29.90.

The All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed at 6,537.25 points, dipped 0.94% by 61.72 points while the Milanka Price Index (MPI) came down 1.13% by 69.19 points to close at 6,029.75 points as per data. Total turnover was Rs.1.3 billion increased by 22.86% with a volume of 76.84 million shares changing hands (up 52.23%). Foreign purchases rose 46.96% to Rs.133.14 million and foreign sales also topped 28.9% to Rs.219.67 million. Price to forward Earnings ratio decreased 0.88% to 22.5 times.

Banks, Finance & Insurance sector also contributed significantly to the market turnover due to Central Finance (CFIN). The sector index decreased 1.60%. Profit taking was witnessed in Central Finance (CFIN) after making gains early during this week. The share price closed at Rs.1,435 having decreased Rs.73.20 (1.06%). The share price dip of John Keells Holdings (JKH) weighed on indices while renewed interest was witnessed in Bairaha Farms (BFL).

Several crossings were done including 300,000 shares of Aitken Spence (SPEN) at Rs.140 via two crossings, Bairaha Farms (BFL) 132,400 shares at Rs.260, Seylan Bank Non-Voting (SEYB.X) 1 million shares at Rs.30 and Lanka Walltile (LWL) 300,000 shares at Rs.120 per share.

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Negative sentiment prevails at Colombo

Colombo Stock Indices gained marginally during early trading on Thursday the 21 July 2011 but gradually dipped down to close in red. Prices dropped across the board with low activity. However, Colombo Stock market indices dropped to year to date lowest figures during market hours.

The All Share Price Index closed at 6,598.97 points, dipped 1.25% by 83.49 points and the Milanka Price Index (MPI) drastically fell by 1.31% or 81.11points to close at 6,098.94 points during the market hours. Total turnover was Rs.1.09 billion (down 20.79%) with a volume of 50.47 million shares changing hands (up 9.15%). Foreign purchases fell 1.27% to Rs.90.6 million and foreign sales also dipped 52.8% to Rs.170.43 million. Price to forward Earnings Ratio slightly fell 1.3% to 22.7 times.

There were 40 listed gainers and 186 listed losers. Month end selling pressure coupled with short term profit taking seems to weigh on the indices. Diversified sector was the main contributor to the market turnover due to John Keells Holdings (JKH) and Softlogic Holdings (SHL), while the sector index decreased by 1.39%. John Keells Holdings (JKH) was the main contributor to the market turnover with two crossings of 336,134 shares at Rs.200. The share price decreased by Rs.2.70 (1.33%) and closed at Rs.199.90.

The top turnover contributor for the market was Nanda Investments and Finance (NIFL), a share valued at Rs.1.70 rose 50% compared to yesterday by Rs. 9.30 with a turnover of Rs.23.02 million whilst 825,100 shares changed hands. The second was Hotel Sigiriya (HSIG) which contributed Rs.21.58 million. The share price rose 12.13% to Rs.82 by Rs.8.70 and a total of 274,900 shares traded.

Citrus Leisure (REEF) also contributed Rs.13 million to the turnover with 196,100 shares traded. The share price rose by Rs.1.80 (2.77%) and closed at Rs.67.40.

Banks, Finance & Insurance sector also contributed significantly to the market turnover. The sector index decreased 1.60%. Profit taking was witnessed in Softlogic Holdings (SHL), Expolanka Holdings (EXPO), Orient Garments (OGL), Brown & Company (BRWN) and Panasian Power (PAP) while renewed interest was witnessed in Hayleys (HAYL). Hotel Sigiriya (HSIG) continued to attract investors as the share price moved up by Rs.10.20 (12.19%) and closed at Rs.81.90.

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Colombo Stock Indices close on a mixed note

Colombo Stock Indices fluctuated during market hours on Wednesday the 20 July 2011 to close All Share Price Index (ASPI) in green and Milanka Price Index (MPI) in red. Crossings witnessed in selected counters in Diversified sector and Hotels & Travels sector dominated the market.

The All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed at 6,682.46 points, rose 0.10% by 6.76 points and the Milanka Price Index (MPI) dipped 0.29% by 18.15 points to close at 6,180.05 points. Turnover was Rs.1.38 billion fell 18.05% with a volume of 46.24 million shares changing hands (tumbled 19.84%). Foreign purchases rose 66.03% to Rs.91.76 million and foreign sales dipped 10.41% to Rs.361.11 million. Price to forward Earnings Ratio (PER) remained stable at 23 times.

However, dull retail investor participation was witnessed yet again. Diversified sector was the main contributor to the market turnover due to John Keells Holdings (JKH) and Aitken Spence (SPEN), while the sector index increased by 0.27%. John Keells Holdings (JKH) was the main contributor to the market turnover with a crossing of 500,000 shares at Rs.202. The share price increased by Rs.0.60 (0.30%) and closed at Rs.202. Foreign stake of the company decreased by 889,800 shares.

Hotels & Travels sector also contributed significantly to the market turnover due to Aitken Spence Hotels (AHUN) and AHOT Properties (AHPL). The sector index increased 0.24%. The share price of Aitken Spence Hotels (AHUN) remained at Rs.74. Renewed interest was witnessed in Hotel Sigiriya (HSIG) while interest continued in Central Finance (CFIN).

Several crossings were done including 1.275 million share of Aitken Spence Hotels (AHUN) at Rs.75 per share via two crossings, 1 million shares of Asian Hotels and Properties (AHOT) at Rs.90.50, 400,000 shares of Aitken Spence (SPEN) at Rs.141 and 20,000 shares of Bukit Darah (BUKI) at Rs.1100 per share.

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Negative sentiment continues at Colombo

Colombo Stock Indices continued to drop amidst lackluster retail investor participation. Price depreciation of big-cap counters such as John Keells Holdings (JKH), Carsons Cumberbatch (CARS) and Bukit Darah (BUKI) weighed on indices. However, institutional or high net-worth investor participation was witnessed to a certain extent.

The All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed at 6,675.70 points, dipped 1.02% by 68.49 points and the Milanka Price Index (MPI) depreciated 0.82% by 51.12 points to close at 6,198.20 points during the day. Total turnover was Rs.1.68 billion rose 34.67%. Foreign purchases rose 269.05% to Rs.270.11 million and foreign sales also topped 432.13% to Rs.403 million. Price to forward Earnings Ratio (PER) decreased 0.865 to 23 times.

Several crossings were done including Commercial Bank (COMB) 750,000 shares at Rs.260 via two crossings, Ceylon Tobacco (CTC) 362,200 shares at Rs.367, John Keells Holdings (JKH) 100,000 shares at Rs.203, Citizens Development Business (CDB) 1.25 million shares at Rs.80 per share.

Bank, Finance and Insurance sector were the main contributor to the market turnover due to Commercial Bank (COMB) and Citizens Development Business Finance (CDB), while the sector index decreased by 0.52%. Commercial Bank (COMB) was the main contributor to the market turnover with two crossings of 750,000 shares at Rs.260.

The share price increased by Rs.0.90 (0.35%) and closed at Rs.257. Foreign stake of the company decreased by 750,000 shares. Diversified sector also contributed significantly to the market turnover due to Softlogic Holdings (SHL) and John Keells Holdings (JKH). The sector index decreased 1.64%. The share price of Softlogic Holdings (SHL) decreased by Rs.0.40 (1.52%) and closed at Rs.26. Profit taking was witnessed in Expolanka Holdings (EXPO) and Swarnmahal Financial Services (SFS) while interest continued in Central Finance (CFIN).

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Week starts off with losses at Colombo

The Colombo Stock market was mostly driven by retail investors on Monday the 18 July. Activity was relatively dull while interest on penny stocks was witnessed again. Price depreciation of John Keells Holdings (JKH) weighed on indices mostly while both indices closed in red.

The All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed at 6,744.19 points, dipped 0.48% by 32.84 points and the more liquid Milanka Price Index (MPI) fell 0.98% by 61.81 points to close at 6,249.32, during the day. Total turnover was Rs.1.3 billion (down 35.98%) and there were no crossings or off-market private deals recorded during market hours. A volume of 62.11 million shares changed hands (fell 26.97%). Foreign purchases fell 69.34% to Rs.73.19 million and foreign sales dip 11.47% to Rs.75.74 million. Price to forward Earnings Ratio (PER) depreciated 0.43% to 23.2 times.

Diversified sector was the main contributor to the market turnover due to Expolanka Holdings (EXPO) and Softlogic Holdings (SHL), while the sector index decreased by 1.33%. Expolanka Holdings (EXPO) was the main contributor to the market turnover while the share price increased by Rs.0.50 (3.38%) and closed at Rs.15.30. Bank, Finance and Insurance sector also contributed significantly to the market turnover due to Swarnamahal Financial Services (SFS) and Central Finance (CFIN). The sector index increased 0.34%. Profit taking was witnessed in Swarnamahal Financial Services (SFS) after making rapid gains recently. Central Finance (CFIN) continued to attract investors while the share price increased by Rs.42.60 (3.03%) and closed at Rs.1,450.

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