Stocks close higher 0.03-pct; Records lowest turnover since 20 April

Jun 05, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s stocks closed higher at 0.03 percent after four consecutive days of losses with index heavy John Keells Holdings showing gains, brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed 1.82 points higher at 7,122.73 up 0.03 percent. The S&P SL20 closed 15.60 points higher at 3,961.14 up 0.40 percent. Turnover was 517 million rupees, down from 713 million Thursday with 82 stocks closing positive against 92 negative. “This is lowest turnover recorded since April 20,” Lanka Securities said. The top contributor to turnover was John Keells Holdings closing at 195.00 rupees, up 4.00 (2.1 percent) and Bukit Darah closing at 695.00 rupees, up 29.70 rupees (4.5 percent). One off the floor trade was recorded at Laughs Gas (Non- voting) with 1.4 million shares traded and the stock closing at 35.00 ruppes, down 0.110 rupees. In the banking sector Sampath Bank closed up at 265.00 rupees, up 1.60 rupees and Commercial Bank closed at 162.10 rupees, up 1.10 rupees. DFCC closed at 210.00 rupees, up 1.90 rupees.