Stocks slip from 3-year high on profit-taking

Reuters: Stocks fell on Monday, ending a five-day gaining streak, to slip from a three-year high hit in the previous session as investors booked profits in conglomerate John Keells Holdings Plc, brokers said.
The main stock index ended down 0.34%, or 23.99 points, at 6,984.03, easing from its highest close since 18 August 2011 hit on Friday.
The index has gained 18.12% so far this year.
There was a bit of profit-taking which dragged the market, said a stockbroker, asking not to be named.
Market heavyweight John Keells Holdings fell 0.82% to Rs. 243.
United Motors Plc, which traded after a two-for-three share split led the fall in the index, plunging over 31% to Rs. 101.20 a share.
Monday’s turnover stood at Rs. 1.2 billion ($ 9.22 million), in line with this year’s daily average.
The Bourse saw a net foreign inflow of Rs. 445.1 million on Monday, extending the year-to-date net foreign inflow to Rs. 7.52 billion worth of shares.