The ASPI was up 4.03 points (0.08%), MPI up 2.02 points (0.05%) and S&P down 0.88 points (0.03%) on a turnover of Rs.368.2 million, up from the previous day’s Rs.332.7 million, with 91 gainers ahead of 83 losers.
Turnover was supported yesterday by a block trade of 575,000 Central Finance at a price of Rs.135 in a deal worth Rs.77.6 million.
Other business generators included PC Pharma with over 5 million shares traded between Rs.12.30 and Rs.12.80 generating the day’s top turnover of Rs.66.5 million but closing 60 cents down at Rs.12.70.
PC House Holdings also saw quantity with 3.7 million shares done between Rs.13.30 and Rs.13.40 closing 40 cents down at Rs.13.30 and contributing Rs.49.2 million to turnover.
Brokers said that some large parcels of these stocks had been done during the day.
Among the blue chips, Carson’s and two banking stocks, DFCC and Commercial Bank were actively traded with Carson’s closing 10 cents up at Rs.464 on over 60,000 shares, DFCC closing Rs.2.90 down at Rs.107 on slightly over 1.1 million shares and Commercial Bank closing flat at Rs.98 on over 0.1 million shares.
Brokers said that there was foreign buying on both Commercial Bank and DFCC. Royal Ceramics too gained 10 cents to close at Rs.93 on over 0.2 million shares.
Harischandra Mills announced a final dividend of Rs.20 per share for 2011/12 following shareholder approval at a Sept. 22 AGM. The stock will trade XD on Sept. 24 and payment on Oct. 2.
Marawila Resorts announced that its Board of Directors had approved the construction and development of 56 additional rooms at a budgeted cost of Rs.350 million.
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