Shares hit a new record yesterday (1 Feb) with a high level of retail participation.

The All-Share Price Index of the Colombo Stock Exchange increased to 1.86 percent to touch a new record high of 3704.20 points, surpassing a previous all-time high of 3647.80 recorded last week.

The more sensitive MPI gained 77 points (+1.8 percent) to close at 4259. The turnover for the day was Rs.3 billion, with active institutional and retail participation.

Of the sectors, plantations gained 8.7 percent while the banking, finance and insurance sectors gained 2.2 percent. The hotels and travel sectors gained 1.9 percent while the diversified holdings sector saw an appreciation of 1.1 percent.