26 October 2021 12:57 am Views - 173
Marking a new milestone, the Colombo Stock Exchange’s (CSE) benchmark index All Share Price Index (ASPI) yesterday closed over the 10,000-point mark for the first time in its history, driven by high participation of local retail investors.
The ASPI, backed by optimistic investor sentiment, dominated by retail investors, yesterday hit an intra-day high of 10,080, before closing for the day at a fresh all-time high of 10,047 by gaining 132 points or 1.33 percent from the previous close, extending its bull rally for the sixth straight session.
“The CSE ASPI crossed 10,000 points level today for the first time, closing the trading day on 10,046.80 points with a YTD growth of 48.31 percent,” the CSE announced in a tweet yesterday.
Previously, the benchmark index recorded an intra-day high of 10,002 points last Friday. However, it was closed at 9,915 points, due to selling pressure and investors choosing to book profits, according to First Capital Research.
Meanwhile, the much liquid S&P SL20 index closed at 3,652.61 points yesterday, up by 1.30 percent from the previous close. So far during the year, S&P SL20 index has gained by 38.16 percent YoY.
Over 235.9 million shares were traded yesterday with the market turnover reaching at Rs.6.85 billion. Expolanka Holdings PLC contributed Rs.2.4 billion to the market turnover followed by Rs.410 million contribution from Vallibel One and Rs.394 million contribution from Browns Investment PLC.
Expolanka shares rose by 7.54 percent or Rs.15.75 to close at Rs.224.75. Last week, Expolanka became the first listed entity to cross the US $ 2 billion in market capitalisation. The market capitalisation of Expolanka was recorded at Rs.439.36 billion yesterday, accounting for 9.82 percent of the overall market turnover.
However, foreign investors remained net sellers while recording low participation. A net foreign outflow of Rs.33.82 million was recorded yesterday.