Indices record highest monthly gain for the year

The ASPI closed in green as a result of price gains in counters such as Distilleries, Melstacorp and Lion Brewery with the turnover crossing Rs 300 Mn. A similar behaviour was witnessed in the S&P SL20. High net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in Commercial Bank, C T Holdings and Aitken Spence. Furthermore, foreigners remained active closing as net sellers mainly due to foreign selling in Sampath Bank. Total foreign sales accounted for 66.8%of the turnover.

During the week, the ASPI and the S&P SL20 gained 0.16% and 0.30% respectively whilst recording an average daily turnover of Rs 519 Mn. Meanwhile, the ASPI and the S&P SL20 recorded monthly gains of 1.15% and 1.08% respectively with an average daily turnover of Rs 518 Mn.

Banks, Finance and Insurance sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank and Ceylinco Insurance nonvoting) whilst the sector index gained 0.31%. The share price of Sampath Bank increased by Rs 0.90 (0.65%) closing at Rs 139.20 whilst foreign holdings decreased by 297,788 shares. The share price of Commercial Bank edged down by Rs 0.10 (0.11%) to close at Rs 91.90. The share price of Ceylinco Insurance nonvoting declined by Rs 18.00 (2.40%) to close at Rs 732.00.

Diversified sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to C T Holdings and Aitken Spence) whilst the sector index increased by 0.79%. The share price of C T

Holdings closed flat at Rs 166.00. The share price of Aitken Spence recorded a gain of Rs 0.80 (1.99%) to close at Rs 41.00. Furthermore, Alliance Finance Company announced its first and final dividend of Rs 1.00 per share.