Stocks hit near 2-week closing high

REUTERS:  Sri Lankan shares touched a near two-week closing high yesterday, as investors picked up banking and diversified stocks, with muted trading as investors went on holiday in the Christmas week.

Investors were also waiting for direction on interest rates when the central bank unveils its monetary policy later this week, analysts said.
The Colombo Stock Index ended 0.42 percent firmer at 6,350.30, its highest since Dec. 15.

“The overall uptrend is due to some window-dressing in some of the blue chip counters,” said Dimantha Mathew, head of research at First Capital Holdings.
“Overall investor interest is very low and it’s a very weak market with most of the broker community also on holiday.”

Shares in conglomerate John Keells Holdings Plc gained 1.1 percent, while Sri Lanka Telecom Plc ended 4.1 percent higher and Hatton National Bank Plc rose 0.2 percent.

Turnover stood at Rs.153.8 million (US$1.01 million), below this year’s daily average of Rs.923.2 million .

Foreign investors net sold Rs.4.1 million worth of shares yesterday, but they have net bought Rs.18.4 billion worth equities so far this year.