Index closed broadly flat with mixed sentiment during today’s session while most of the retail investors took the sidelines as ambiguity rose over trade union protest. Initially the market dived to an intraday low of 8,911 following lower than expected results of counters such as MGT and TKYO which prompted selling in the market. However, shortly market picked up on a steady uptrend as Banking and Diversified Financials sector counters rallied following the President’s speech. Although index crossed the 9,000-level by mid-day, it failed to secure the positive momentum as it closed at 8,987 with a narrow gain of 12 points. Meanwhile, market turnover plunged to a 1 ½ -month low of LKR 1.2Bn (-38% cf. monthly average turnover of LKR 1.9Bn) while Capital Goods led overall turnover with a contribution of 28% (mainly JKH), followed by the Material sector with a contribution of 15%. (First Capital Research)