The Colombo Stock Exchange All Share Price Index closed down 0.75 percent on Wednesday, dropping 166.55 points to 22,011.10, while the more liquid S&P SL20 lost 0.54 percent or 32.82 points to 6,097.83, EconomyNext reported.
Market turnover was 2.05 billion rupees, with the Consumer Durables & Apparel sector leading at 413.9 million rupees. Positive contributors to the ASPI were John Keells Holdings (up 0.50 percent at Rs.20.10), Lion Brewery Ceylon (up 2.85 percent at Rs.1,849.00) and Seylan Developments (up 11.11 percent at Re.1.00). Dialog Axiata (down 2.51 percent at Rs.42.80), Sampath Bank (down 0.88 percent at Rs.140.75), Ceylon Beverage Holdings (down 6.28 percent at Rs.2,750.75) and Ceylon Cold Stores (down 3.22 percent at Rs.135.25) were the top drags.
The Sri Lankan rupee closed weaker at 334.50/335.50 against the US dollar in the spot market, against 332.00/333.50 the previous day, dealers told EconomyNext. The telegraphic transfer rate stood at Rs.328.50 buying and Rs.337.50 selling. Bond yields closed up across the curve.
Regional markets also finished lower. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index dropped 1.56 percent to 25,633.21 and India’s Nifty 50 fell 0.33 percent to 23,405.60.
Wednesday’s close extends a depreciation run that has steepened since mid-May. The session built on the day’s earlier interbank quote of 333.00/335.50 and Newswire’s CBSL telegraphic transfer reading, and follows Monday’s close at 22,377 with the rupee at 330.00/332.00. The Central Bank’s Weekly Economic Indicators put the rupee 5.4% weaker year-to-date with usable reserves at US$6.77 billion.
Sources: Sri Lanka stocks close lower as ASPI drops 0.75-pct — EconomyNext.
