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ASPI reaches record 9339 points

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By Hiran H.Senewiratne

CSE yesterday catapulted to a new high in terms of price indices, turnover and volume on the back of improved sentiment triggering strong buying. For example, the All- Share Price Index reached a highest ever recorded 9339 points yesterday. Until then, the highest level to be reached was 9335 points on September 2, stock market analysts said.

Initially, the CSE was bullish and in the middle of the session some profit takings were witnessed. However, later notable buying interest was indicated. Sri Lanka stock index gained 3.69 percent on Monday, after the new Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal’s statement over the weekend pointed to some stable interest rates and exchange rates in the near future, brokers said.

The market has suffered a net foreign outflow of over Rs 43.2 billion so far this year. It is said that foreigners seized the opportunity to exit with net selling (mainly in JKH), amounting to Rs. 723 million. Further, foreign investors sold a net Rs 722 million worth of shares on Monday.

Amid those developments both indices moved upwards. The All-Share Price Index went up by 69.63 points and S and P SL20 rose by 37.2 points. Turnover stood at Rs 6.6 billion with three crossings. Those crossings were JKH, which crossed 1.6 million shares to the tune of Rs 225.6 million and its shares traded at Rs 139, Hayleys PLC 500,000 shares crossed for Rs 59.3 million, its shares traded at Rs 106.75 and Browns Investments five million shares crossed for Rs 49.5 million, its shares fetching Rs. 9.90.

In the retail market, some companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were, Expolanka Holdings Rs 2.2 billion (11.2 million shares traded), Browns Investments Rs 942 million (95.7 million shares traded), LOLC Finance Rs 374.6 million (37.4 million shares traded) and Commercial Leasing Rs 347 million (10.6 million shares traded). During the day 263 million share volumes changed hands in 38000 transactions. It is said that the market turned buoyant on the first day of the week with the ASPI surpassing the 9,000 level and recording its biggest single-day gain in the last seven months (330 points) to reach a three-week high, led by price gains in index-heavy LOLC Group of companies and Expolanka.

In the meantime, Nation Lanka Finance PLC and Singhaputra Capital Investments Limited are planning an amalgamation as a consolidation plan to meet the Rs 2.5 billion capital adequacy ratio. Therefore, Nation Lanka Finance is now in consultation with major shareholders of Singhaputra Capital Finance Limited and have reached a decision to pursue an alternative method, which will enabled Nation Lanka Finance to satisfy the capital infusion by way of a private placement. Both companies have entered into a share subscription agreement, stock market analysts said.

Yesterday, the US dollar reached the parity rate of Rs 200.3362.



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Cabinet approves rationalization of VAT exemptions and abolition of SVAT System

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The Cabinet of Ministers granted concurrence to the resolution forwarded by the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies to remove most of the releases from Value Added Tax (VAT), further retaining releases that ease the pressure on low – income families to secure the fundamental sectors of the economy as well as the releases for sectors such as education, health and agriculture, as well as to revise the provisions applicable for the Value Added Tax (VAT) act so that the Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT) methodology can be canceled with effect from 01.01.2024 by introducing a more formal methodology for repaying the Value Added Tax (VAT) and to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill for the purpose.

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Venora Lanka Power Panels to set up assembly plant in Australia

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Sagara Gunawardene

By Hiran H.Senewiratne

Sri Lanka- based, export- oriented manufacturer, Venora Lanka Power Panels (Pvt) Ltd, with a state of the art electric panel factory at the Export Processing Zone, Biyagama, will set up an assembly plant in Australia.

“Once we set up the electric panel assembly plant in Australia, we will export all our panels from Sri Lanka and that plant will do 30 percent value addition to the product to supply that market, the company’s chairman/ Managing Director, engineer Sagara Gunawardena told The Island Financial Review.

Gunawardena said that the company is a value- addition assembly plant and he would be investing AUS $ 2 million for the project to be set up in Melbourne and hire 100 engineers and other professionals. He explained that the venture has enormous potential.

Venora Lanka provides power panels to mega projects in Sri Lanka and exports to Bangladesh, Maldives, Kenya, Ethiopia, Seychelles and Myanmar. Panel assembling is strictly in compliance with IEC 61439 standards, it was explained.

Gunawardena added: ‘I firmly believe that, being a truly customer focused organization, every employee and every process in the organization has to be aligned behind delighting customers. Therefore, at a time when the country is facing a major dollar crisis, my company would be aiming at bringing dollars into the country, while providing employment for local professionals, especially engineers.

‘At Venora Lanka we do not try to change customers’ mindsets. Instead, we take time to understand what they really want and focus our brand on delivering that. Venora is values- driven first and cost- driven second – creating a unique brand proposition.

‘Since the US dollar rate has come down, it is our concern that importers and suppliers do not change their prices, which is really affecting the manufacturing sector.

Company sources added: ‘The company has several wings of operation, such as local and overseas projects, switch board assembling, telecommunication infrastructure installations, earthing, lighting and surge protection, incorporating world renowned brands.

‘Venora Lanka Power Panels is the first Sri Lankan company to receive the licence, in accordance with the UK Trade Mark Act 1994, to use the trade mark “Best Enterprise”. It won a global award at the event, ‘Golden Awards for Quality and Business Prestige’, held in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2015.

‘Within a short span of time, with the perfect blend of progressive thinking and expertise, Venora Group has expanded to consist of, Venora International Projects, Venora Telecom, Venora Industrial Solutions and Venora Lanka Power Panels (BOI approved). Further, Venora has established its overseas presence through Venora Engineering Kenya and Venora Engineering Myanmar.’

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Share market moves into positive territory; indices up

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By Hiran H. Senewiratne

CSE trading got off to a positive note yesterday but during the last session of the day the momentum slowed. However, the market is now moving towards positive territory following the Central Bank announcement of a downward trend in interest rates, market analysts said.

Amid those developments the market witnesses improvements in both indices and in the turnover.

The All- Share Price Index up by 12.8 points and S and P SL 20 rose by 6.97 points. Turnover stood at Rs 710 million with one crossing. The crossing was reported in JKH which crossed 430,000 shares to the tune of Rs 60.2 million; its shares traded at Rs 140.

In the retail market top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; JKH Rs 212 million (1.5 million shares traded), Access Engineering Rs 44.7 million ( three million shares traded), Lanka IOC Rs 34.5 million (264,000 shares traded), Browns Investments Rs 28.6 million (5.3 million shares traded), LOLC Finance Rs 23.8 million (4.7 million shares traded), Capital Alliance Rs 22.9 million (615,000 shares traded) and First Capital Holdings Rs 19.2 million (574,000 shares traded). During the day the 31.4 million shares volumes changed hands in 9000 transactions.

Yesterday, the Central Bank’s US dollar buying rate was Rs 285.16 and the selling rate Rs 298.85.

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