Sri Lanka stocks pushed down by John Keells, Ceylon Tobacco

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka stocks closed 0.04 percent lower pushed down by Melstacorp, John Keells Holdings and Ceylon Tobacco Company, Colombo Stock exchange provisional Data cited by Economy Next showed.

Colombo’s All share price index fell 0.04 percent or 2.60 points to close at 6,632.32, Economy Next reported.

The main index started positive but fell to a daily low at 6,616.74 during the first hour into trading but picked up and continued on volatile trading to close marginally high.

The S&P SL20 index of more liquid stocks fell 0.09 points to close at 2,584.54.

The market turnover was 2.7 billion rupees with 84 stocks gaining and 95 falling.

Melstacorp contributed most to the ASPI fall, closing 1.10 rupees down a share to close at 51.90 rupees.

John Keells Holdings fell 90 cents a share to close at 146.10 rupees and Ceylon Tobacco Company closed 5.40 rupees down at 1,002.10 rupees a share.

In the banking sector Hatton National Bank gained 10 cents to close at 124.10 rupees, DFCC Bank closed flat at 64.10 rupees and Sampath Bank closed 80 cents up at 131.30 rupees a share while Commercial Bank of Ceylon fell 50 cents to close at 79.00 rupees.

In the hotel sector, Eden Hotel Lanka closed 40 cents down at 12.20 rupees a share, Aitken Spence Hotel holdings fell 60 cents to close at 57.00 rupees while john keels Hotels fell 10 cents to close at 10.80 rupees a share.

Distilleries Company closed 20 cents down at 20.50 rupees and Sri Lanka telecom closed 10 cents down at 33.40 rupees a share while Brown Investments closed flat at 4.00 rupees a share, Economy Next added.