Retail investor worries drag down stock market

The CSE kicked off on a positive note yesterday but in the middle of the trading session it turned negative as institutional and retail investors agonized over the way forward for the economy amid the uncertainties stemming from the recent weather devastation.

- BY HIRAN H SENEWIRATNE

Both indices moved downwards. The All Share Price Index went down by 226.83 points, while the S and P SL20 declined by 37.51 points. Turnover stood at Rs 2.23 billion with six crossings.

Those crossings were reported in Richard Pieris, where 2 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 82.4 million; its shares traded at Rs 41, Colombo Dockyard 300,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 55.3 million; its shares traded at Rs 217.50.

Hemas Holdings 1million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 36.3 million; its shares sold at Rs 36.30, Sunshine Holdings 1 million shares crossed tfor Rs 35.7 million; its shares traded at Rs 35.70, Hayleys 104,000 shares crossed for Rs 20 million; its shares traded at Rs 193 and LB Finance 130,000 shares crossed for Rs 20 million; its shares sold at Rs 154.