The Colombo Stock Exchange ended Thursday lower, with the All Share Price Index falling 0.38 percent, or 85.47 points, to close at 22,549.53. The S&P SL20 was down 0.54 percent, or 33.45 points, at 6,207.56.
Top positive contributors to the ASPI were Lion Brewery Ceylon (up 4.90 percent at Rs. 1,836.25), Ceylon Theatres (up 3.10 percent at Rs. 598) and Watawala Plantations (up 7.46 percent at Rs. 50.40). On the downside, Dialog Axiata fell 2.78 percent to Rs. 35, John Keells Holdings lost 0.97 percent to Rs. 20.40 and Commercial Bank declined 0.83 percent to Rs. 209.25.
Market turnover was Rs. 3.44 billion, with capital goods leading sector activity at Rs. 984.6 million. Crossings were recorded in Ceylon Cold Stores, John Keells Holdings, Melstacorp, National Development Bank, Access Engineering and Elpitiya Plantations.
Regional markets also closed lower. India’s Nifty 50 fell 0.74 percent and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 1.28 percent.
EconomyNext said sentiment was dampened by Brent crude futures rising above USD 113 on reports the United States will maintain its naval blockade on Tehran, weakening prospects for a near-term diplomatic resolution.
Source: EconomyNext.
