The Colombo Stock Exchange’s (CSE’s) all share price index (ASPI) and the blue chip MILANKA price (MPI) showed all time record increases at yesterday’s trading, with the ASPI gaining by 107.4 points to close at 643.2 points and the MPI increasing by 235.1 points to close at 1,106.5 points, an all time high, sources and a CSE release said.

The turnover recorded at yesterday’s trading was Rs 688.3 million, the highest since May 21 1999, the CSE release said. ‘It is however the highest turnover for a day when there was no strategic investment, the sources said.

The ASPI’s and the MPI’s percentagewise gains were 20.6% and 26.9% respectively over the last market day, which was on elections day-Wednesday.’There wasn’t a single loser at yesterday’s trading,’ they said. A total of 5,589 trades were concluded during the day, the highest since June 3, 1998 and a total of 30.7 million shares were traded, the CSE release said

Meanwhile, previously, high turnover figures exceeding Rs 800 million in a day was registered on a transaction of Rs 850 million worth of Ceylon Grain Elevator shares in 1993, and in two other instances, where the daily turnover exceeded the Rs 800 million levels were when controlling interests were acquired in ‘Trans-Asia Hotel and Asian Hotels respectively, they said.

‘The market, which was mainly retailer driven, though there was both high networth and institutional buying chipping in, virtually went through the roof with the change of government, though, recording a net foreign outflow,’ the sources further said. Secondary market yields remained the same with market players concentrating on the equity markets, a First Capital release said.

Meanwhile, the main contributor to the day’s turnover were National Development Bank Ltd (NDB) which contributed Rs 157.2 million on a volume of 1,896,700 shares. NDB moved up by Rs 21.50 or 36.75% to close at Rs 80.

Other big contributors were John Keells Holdings Ltd (JKH), Rs 85.5 million on a volume of 1,291,400 shares. JKH was up by Rs 16.50 or 34% on a share to close at Rs 65. DFCC Bank, Rs 54.8 million, on a volume of 449,800 shares. DFCC’s shares went up by Rs 26.25 or 26.3% to close at Rs 126.

Commercial Bank, Rs 51 million, on 403,500 shares. Commercial Bank shares were up by Rs 27 or 24% to close at Rs 139. Asia Capital, Rs 27.4 million on 2,483,300 shares. Asia Capital shares were up Rs 2.25 or 31% to close at Rs 9.50.

Dockyard, Rs 27.3 million, on 1,041,100 shares. Colombo Dockyard’s shares went up by Rs 8 or 43% to close at Rs 26.50. Others who contributed over Rs 10 million each to the day’s turnover yesterday were Grain Elevators on 1,019,600 shares.

Nations Trust Bank on a share volume of 1,022,900; Vanik (5,916,600); Agalawatte (1,755,300); Hatton National Bank (222,300); Reckitt (329,300) and Hayleys (94,500). Among the high gainers were Vanik, enjoying a 100% gain to close at Rs 3 and Vanik (non-voting)-an 83% gain.

Among some of the other big gainers were Udapusellawa, up by Rs 4.75 to close at Rs 14; Hapugastenna, up by Rs 4.25 to close at Rs 12.75; People’s Merchant Bank, up by Rs 3.75 to close at Rs 11.25; Trans Asia, up by Rs 10 to close at Rs 30; Aitken Spence, up by Rs 18 to close at Rs 110; ACL Cables, up by Rs 9 to close at Rs 39; Asiri, up by Rs 4.75 to close at Rs 25; Bogawantalawa, up by Rs 4.25 to close at Rs 23; Browns, up by Rs 12.50 to close at Rs 42.50.

Caltex Lubricants, up by Rs 10.50 to close at Rs 78; Cental Finance, up by Rs 16 to close at Rs 60; Central Industries, up by Rs 4.25 to close at Rs 40; Central Securities, up by Rs 4 to close at Rs 40; Ceylinco Insurance, up by Rs 4 to close at Rs 30; Ceylon Brewery, up by Rs 4 to close at Rs 34; Ceylon Glass, up by Rs 6 to close at Rs 20;Ceylon Investments, up by Rs 14.75 to close at Rs 65.

Ceylon Oxygen, up by Rs 10 to close at Rs 72.50; Ceylon Tobacco, up by Rs 4.25 to close at Rs 31.75; Chemanex, up by Rs 5.50 to close at Rs 45; CIC (non voting), up by Rs 9 to close at Rs 45; Cold Stores, up by Rs 6 to close at Rs 60; Dipped Products, up by Rs 8.50 to close at Rs 65; Glaxo, up by Rs 12.25 to close at Rs 45; Haycarb, up by Rs 11.25 to close at Rs 50; Hayleys, up by Rs 38.25; to close at Rs 130.

Hayleys Exports, up by Rs 9 to close at Rs 50; Hatton National Bank, up by Rs 15.50 to close at Rs 57.25; James Finlay, up by Rs 3.75 to close at Rs 30; John Keells, up by Rs 10.75 to close at Rs 59; Lanka Tiles, up by Rs 5.50 to close at Rs 36; Lanka Walltiles, up by Rs 5.75 to close at Rs 24; Lion Brewery, up by Rs 5 to close at Rs 38.

LOLC, up by Rs 7.50 to close at Rs 60; Maskeliya, up by Rs 6.75 to close at Rs 31; Renuka City Hotels, up by Rs 8 to close at Rs 40; Richard Pieris Exports, up by Rs 4 to close Rs 28; Richard Pieris, up by Rs 20 to close at Rs 110; Royal Ceramics, up by Rs 5 to close at Rs 27.50; Sampath Bank, up by Rs 8.50 to close at Rs 65.25.

Samson International, up by Rs 6 to close at Rs. 20; Seylan Bank, up by Rs. 7.75 to close at Rs. 29; Shaw Wallace, up by Rs. 4 to close at Rs. 49; Tea Smallholders, up by Rs. 5.25 to close at Rs. 29; Tokyo Cement, up by Rs. 5.50 to close at Rs. 65; Union Assurance, up by Rs. 7.50 to close at Rs. 38.75; W.M.Mendis, up by Rs. 4 to close at Rs. 14 and Watawala, up by Rs. 3.75 to close at Rs. 16.75. (PA)