Sri Lankan shares end flat as consumer discretionary, materials weigh

(Reuters) – Sri Lankan shares ended little changed on Monday, after closing up for three straight sessions, as losses in consumer discretionary and materials stocks offset gains in industrials and communication services.

The benchmark stock index closed 0.005% higher at 5,946.08. It had gained 2.5% in the previous week, but is still down 2.9% for the year.

Conglomerate John Keels Holdings Plc and Expolanka Holdings Plc were the biggest boosts to the index, rising 2.3% and 4.3%, respectively.

Beverage maker Ceylon Cold Stores Plc and financial services provider LOLC Finance Plc were the biggest drags on the index, falling 2.2% and 5.3%, respectively.

Index trading volume fell to 139.86 million from 195.49 million in the previous session.

Foreign investors were net sellers in the equity market, off-loading Rs 196.4 million ($1.07 million) worth of shares, according to exchange data.