Shares edge up as financials rise

REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares ended marginally higher yesterday, driven by gains in financial and consumer staples’ stocks.

The CSE All-Share Index rose 0.10 percent to 7,215.60. The index has climbed 6.5 percent this year.

Conglomerates LOLC and Browns Investments PLC were the top boosts to the index, rising 5.3 percent and 6.3 percent, respectively.

Trading volumes jumped to 209.5 million, from 42.4 million in the previous session.

Foreign investors were net sellers in the equity market, offloading shares worth Rs.277.4 million (US $ 1.4 million), according to exchange data.

Equity market turnover was Rs.2.60 billion, the data showed.

The Sri Lankan rupee was quoted at 196.00 against the U.S. dollar as of 1145 GMT, according to Refinitiv data.