August 28, Colombo: Positive momentum acquired yesterday further strengthened during the day with both indices gaining valuable grounds. All Share Price Index (ASPI) shot up by a considerable 14.85 points (0.62%) to end at 2421.24 while the liquid Milanka Price Index (MPI) boosted by a lesser 12.68 points (0.45%) to close at 2805.55.

The turnover for the day summed up to Rs.342.82Mn. Conglomerate John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) experienced a crossing today with a 400,000 block of shares been traded at Rs.100.00.The share was seen within a price range of Rs.99.50 and Rs.100.00. Valibel Power Erathna PLC (VPEL) continued to be the favourite amongst investors, topping the volume list for the fourth consecutive day. The counter recorded trades amounting to 2.73Mn shares and signed off for the day at Rs.4.60. The highest contribution to turnover was made by Equity One PLC (EQIT) with a value of Rs.42.59Mn. The share ended the day at Rs.33.75.

Other heavily traded counters included EQIT, Maskeliya Plantations PLC (MASK) and Equity Two PLC (ETWO) with 1.46Mn, 1.07Mn and 0.82Mn shares respectively. Next in line turnover wise were JKH, Colombo Fort Investment PLC (CFI) and MASK with Rs.40.65Mn, Rs.27.20Mn and Rs.27.05Mn respectively. Price gainers outnumbered the price losers by 76 to 53. Foreign trade revolved more around the purchasing side to bring in a net inflow of Rs.54.64Mn.