Lanka Securities Market Round up 7 July 2015

Uncertainty in political environment hampered the gains for the second consecutive session as the All Share price index recorded a 12-week low of 6,967.78 with a loss of 21.63 points or -0.31%. S&P SL 20 index lost 19.96 points (-0.51%) to end at 3,891.53.

Price depreciations in counters such as John Keells Holdings (closed at LKR 180.00, -1.2%), Hatton National Bank (closed at LKR 208.00, -2.1%) and Commercial Leasing & Finance (closed at LKR 4.00, -4.8%) contributed adversely to the index performance.

Daily market turnover reached LKR 714mn supported by several negotiated deals recorded in Seylan Bank (1mn shares at LKR 100.00 per share), John Keells Holdings (0.9mn shares at a price range of LKR 180.00-181.00) and Nestle Lanka (0.02mn shares at LKR 2,040.00 per share). The total crossings accounted for 44% of the market turnover.

John Keells Holdings emerged as the top contributor to the market turnover with LKR 230mn followed by Seylan Bank (LKR 101mn), Nestle Lanka (LKR 51mn) and Hatton National Bank (LKR 30mn).

Reflecting lackluster trading session losers surpassed the gainers 89 to 81 while 64 counters remained unchanged. Cash map declined to 52% from 66%. 14 counters declined to 52wk low prices while only Vidullanka advanced to a 52wk high price of LKR 8.80, +1.2%.

Furthermore, the share volume recorded a nearly one month low of 17mn shares.

Moreover, Shares of Textured Jersey, Access Engineering, John Keells Holdings and Hatton National Bank were among heavily traded counters.

In addition, except National Development Bank (+0.6%) the other high cap banking sector counters namely Hatton National Bank (-2.1%), DFCC Bank (-0.8%), Sampath Bank (-0.4%) and Commercial Bank (-0.3%) declined during the session.