Colombo stocks mixed as RPC group shares gain
2008-10-06 21:33:38

Colombo stocks were mixed at the close on Monday amidst gains by Richard Pieris & Co (RPC) and its subsidiary, Maskeliya Plantations where rumours on Friday of a takeover in this plantation company swept the market, brokers said.

Maskeliya Plantations gained by Rs 4.50 to Rs 34.50 for 1.6 million shares that were traded accounting for a sizable amount of the day’s turnover of Rs 131.4 million. RPC traded 469,000 shares at a price of Rs 47.75, up Rs 3 from previous levels.

On Friday, RPC Group officials rejected reports of a take-over bid at Maskeliya as the market reacted to a large stock of this share being traded. John Keells Holdings, much in the news these days, didn’t trade much … just 3,100 shares at an unchanged Rs 86.75.

The All Share Index fell by 0.34 points to 2,155.19 while the Milanka gained marginally by 1.79 points to 2,418.70. .