CSE trading slow

Turnover on the Colombo Stock Exchange was a dismal Rs 28.4 million, a four year low. Trading was slow as investor sentiment remained negative.

The broader ASPI was down 5 points (-0.32%) to 1,607 while the MPI, which tracks the markets most liquid stocks, was up 2 points (0.1%) to close at 1,806.

Turnover for the day was driven by Nations Trust Bank (Rs 3.3 million), Ceylinco Insurance (Rs 2.1 million) and Nawaloka Hospitals (Rs 2 million). NTB was up 50 cents at Rs 23.00, while Ceylinco was up Rs 24.75 at Rs 199.75. Nawaloka Hospitals was down 10 cents at Rs 1.80.

Asian markets were up for the day on a co-ordinated effort by central bankers to provide liquidity with the Nikkei up 2% and the Hang Seng up 1%.

India's and Singapore's benchmarks ended the day flat.