Lanka securities Insight 17 July 2015

Colombo bourse continued the winning streak for the third day on Monday and closed the session with gains on a critical day for domestic politics. ASI crossed 7,000 mark after five days and closed at 7,002.78 with a gain of 18.66 points (+0.3%) while S&P SL 20 index gained 11.17 points (+0.3%) to close at 3,916.44. Daily market turnover was LKR 531mn. Kegalle Plantations was the star performer of the day subsequent to its spectacular dividend of LKR 45.00 per share. Further Hatton National Bank made a notable contribution of LKR 88mn supported by a crossing of 0.29mn shares. Apart from Kegalle Plantations and Richard Peiris & Co, shares of John Keells Holdings, Access Engineering and Sanasa Development Bank were among heavily traded counters. Foreign investors continued to be net sellers for the ninth consecutive day with a net outflow of LKR 26mn. Foreign participation was 25%.

Bourse expanded the optimistic momentum for the fourth consecutive day on Tuesday in a thin trading session, amid slight direction in politics after the conclusion of nominations for the mid-August 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. 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). Meanwhile, Kegalle Plantations, John Keells Holdings and Textured Jersey were among heavily traded counters. Foreign investors were net buyers snapping the nine consecutive sessions of selling streak with a net inflow of LKR 36mn. Foreign participation was 23%.