Trading Tuesday - Sri Lankan stocks closed at a New All Time High

06th October 2009, www.lankabusinessonline.com

Sri Lankan stocks closed at a new all time high with stock values topping 1,000 billion rupees, and the market up 108.1 percent from the beginning of the year, according to Colombo Stock Exchange data.

The All Share Price Index closed up 29.3 points to end at 3,124.87 while the Milanka index of more liquid stocks gained 1.01 percent (35.32 points) to close at 3,544.09, according to provisional stock exchange data.

Market capitalization at the end of the day was 1003.1 billion rupees, the first time stock values had topped 1000 billion rupees.

Prime minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake made a surprise visit to the trading floor, soon after.

Turnover was 1.18 billion rupees

Dialog Telekom, an index heavy telco closed 8.75 rupees, up 50 cents, with 15 million shares traded, while fixed line operator Sri Lanka Telecom closed at 46.00 rupees, down 25 cents.

Conglomerate John Keells Holdings (JKH) closed at 152.00 rupees, down 2.00, Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka closed at 91.00 rupees, up 25 cents, and Hayleys an export heavy diversified group, closed at 160.00 rupees, up 5.00.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon closed at 179.75 rupees, up 50 cents, National Development Bank closed at 195.25 rupees, up 2.75, Sampath Bank closed at 183.50 rupees, up 1.50, DFCC Bank closed at 154.00 rupees, up 1.00.

Nations Trust Bank closed at 34.00 rupees, down 25 cents on 422,300 shares changing hands.

Tokyo Cement closed up 211.75 rupees, up 3.00. Lanka Ventures closed at 14.50 rupees, down 25 cents.

Diversified Richard Pieris and Company closed 40.50 rupees, down 50 cents, while Riverina Hotels closed at 66.00 rupees, down 2.00.