Lanka Securities Market Round up 15 July 2015

Bourse expanded the optimistic momentum for the fourth consecutive day in a thin trading session, amid slight direction in politics after the conclusion of nominations for the midAugust general election. Main index gained 24.22 index points or 0.35% to close at 7,027.00 while S&P SL20 index bagged 3.84 index points (+0.10%) to end at 3,920.28.

Price appreciation in index high caps such as Sri Lanka Telecom (closed at LKR 48.00, +6.4%), Aitken Spence Hotels Holdings (closed at LKR 80.00, +5.3%) and Lanka Orix Leasing Company (closed at LKR 100.50, +1.2%) pushed the index performance to positive territory.

Mirroring the lackluster trading, daily market turnover recorded one month low of LKR 367mn while market volume declined to 3 month low of 11mn shares. John Keells Holdings emerged as the top contributor to the turnover with LKR 81mn followed by Ceylon Tobacco Company (LKR 28mn), LB Finance (LKR 24mn) and Nations Trust Bank (LKR 17mn). No crossings were recorded during the session.

Gainers outweighed losers, 110 to 65 while 57 counters remained unchanged. Cash map declined to 47% from 56%. 10 counters touched 52wk low prices while Vidullanka and CIC Holdings managed to record fresh 52wk high prices of LKR 11.00 and LKR 74.00 respectively.

Share price of Vidullanka appreciated notably after the announcement of the capitalization of reserves where the company intends to issue 01 new ordinary share for every existing 02 shares held. Counter advanced to LKR 11.00 but closed below at LKR 10.50 (+1.1%).

Following the sub-division of shares, LB Finance commenced trading today after three days of dealing suspension. Stock closed higher at LKR 116.00 (+1.1%) supported by high investor interest.

Meanwhile, Kegalle Plantations, John Keells Holdings and Textured Jersey were among heavily traded counters. Tokyo Cement declared first and final dividend of LKR 1.19 per share and the voting and nonvoting counters closed at LKR 48.90 (+0.2%) and LKR 40.00 (+0.5%) respectively.

Foreign investors were net buyers snapping the nine consecutive sessions of selling streak with a net inflow of LKR 36mn. Foreign participation was 23%. Net foreign inflows were seen in John Keells Holdings (LKR 52mn), Nations Trust Bank (LKR 16mn), HVA Foods (LKR 8mn) while net foreign outflow was mainly seen in Ceylon Tobacco Company (LKR 28mn).