Bourse closed flat with the index closing in the green territory for the 9th straight day amid a marginal gain. Investor participation was registered at a moderate level while some investors took the sidelines following the third reading of the budget.
As the market commenced, index scaled high and set off to an intra-day high of 9,025 as investors picked up on diversified counters such as JKH, HAYL and retail counters. However, by mid-session ASPI tapered down steeply with profit booking witnessed on LOLC Group counters and EXPO but managed to remain in the green with a narrow gain of 10 points closing at 8,892. Market turnover dipped 23% below previous session’s turnover and recorded at LKR 2.4 Bn (+27% cf. monthly average turnover of LKR 1.9 Bn) with a joint contribution of 46% stemming from the Food, Beverage and Tobacco (26%) and Capital Goods (21%) sectors.
(Courtesy First Capital Research)