News & market updates

ASPI rose 234 points (1.4%) to 17,214 on turnover of Rs.7.37bn, led by banking stocks with HNB, SAMP and COMB among top contributors. Turnover was 72% above the monthly average and foreigners recorded a net outflow of about Rs.273.6m.

Colombo market extended gains as the ASPI rose 0.33% and the S&P SL20 0.19% on turnover of Rs.4.3 billion, while foreigners were net sellers of Rs.162.7 million. Hemas, Commercial Bank, Aitken Spence, Sampath and Digital Mobility were top contributors; John Keells and Hatton National Bank fell.

Colombo market opened subdued with the ASPI up 1.78 points and turnover rising to Rs. 3.7bn; foreigners were net buyers of Rs. 70.1m. Key contributors included CCS, HHL, HAYL, DIAL and BIL, with strong activity in Food, Beverage & Tobacco.

The CSE opened May on a mixed note as turnover hit a new high of Rs. 6 billion while the ASPI rose 52 points to 15,852; crossings in CT Holdings and Cargills dominated activity, together accounting for the bulk of turnover. Banking and food retail stocks, including Pan Asia Banking and Lankem, were also among top contributors.

ACL Cables PLC appointed Emeritus Professor Kulatilleke Arthanayake Malik Kumar Ranasinghe as Independent Non-Executive Director and Senior Independent Director, and Wickramasinghe Pathiranage Kusal Jayawardana as Independent Non-Executive Director. Outgoing directors Ajit Mahendra de Silva Jayaratne and Hemaka Devapriya Senarath Amarasuriya stepped down on 31 Dec 2024.

ACL Cables PLC appointed Emeritus Professor Kulatilleke Arthanayake Malik Kumar Ranasinghe as Independent Non-Executive Director & Senior Independent Director and Wickramasinghe Pathiranage Kusal Jayawardana as Independent Non-Executive Director, effective Jan 1, 2025. Outgoing directors Ajit Mahendra de Silva Jayaratne and Hemaka Devapriya Senarath Amarasuriya stepped down Dec 31, 2024.

Colombo market rebounded as ASPI rose 151 pts (0.96%) to 15,861 on turnover of Rs.24bn, led by banking and blue‑chip gains; top contributors included COMB, HNB, SAMP, HAYL and JKH while BOGA, JKH and SAMP led turnover.

The ASPI fell 2.3% for the first week of February despite a 1.38% rebound on Friday; weekly turnover averaged Rs.4.16bn and Friday turnover was Rs.2bn. Ceylinco, Melstacorp, John Keells and Aitken Spence were among Friday's top contributors, while Watawala, Seylan Bank and SMB Finance were key detractors.

Colombo market opened February lower as the ASPI and S&P SL20 fell about 1%. Turnover was Rs.3 billion with foreigners net sellers of Rs.179.3m; key decliners included HNB, LOLC, BUKI, CARS and CFIN, while SPEN, TJL and CCS were notable gainers.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose with the ASPI up 1.31% (224.01 pts to 16,597.16) and S&P SL20 up 1.72% (85.42 pts to 5,047.45), driven by banking stocks and strong retail turnover. Top turnover generators included Commercial Bank, HNB, DFCC, NDB and Sampath Bank, with a net foreign outflow of Rs 279 million.

Colombo bourse ended the week higher (ASPI +2.1% for the week; ASPI +0.26 yesterday, S&P SL20 +0.28) with turnover yesterday at Rs.5.4bn and a net foreign outflow of Rs.221.5m. Banking and capital-goods/construction stocks led turnover, with top contributors including Dialog, DFCC, Dipped Products, Hemas and Commercial Bank.

Colombo market sustained gains with the ASPI up 0.4% and S&P SL20 up 0.2% on Rs.5 billion turnover and a net foreign inflow of Rs.194.5 million. Top contributors included Commercial Bank, Tokyo Cement, Lanka IOC, ACL Cables and Access Engineering, with banking leading turnover (26%).

ACL Cables PLC won the Gold award in the Extra Large Category at the National Chamber of Exporters Awards 2024 on December 6, marking its second consecutive year as winner.

Colombo market rose as the ASPI gained 0.84% (111 pts) to 13,340 with turnover of Rs.3.22bn and foreign net buying of Rs.85.3m. Top contributors included LOLC, CFIN, RCL, HNB and DIPD, while Agarapatana (+0.20 to Rs.9) and ACL Cables (+2.70 to Rs.98.50) saw notable activity.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up as ASPI rose 0.84% to 13,355, led by the food, beverage and tobacco sector (Rs783mn turnover). Top turnover movers included Agarapatana, Dipped Products, Central Finance, ACL Cables and CIC; Sunshine Holdings (amalgamation announced) also closed higher.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.30% to 13,228 on turnover of Rs2.3bn, led by retail buying in food, beverage & tobacco and renewed interest in construction. Notable movers included gains in Lion Brewery, Ceylon Cold Stores, Distilleries, Access Engineering and Central Finance, while Sierra Cables fell; net foreign outflow was Rs379mn.

ASPI rose 0.6% to 12,875 (a multi-week high) as banking and blue-chip stocks led gains; turnover was Rs.2.4bn and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.23.3m.

Colombo stock market ended the week with marginal losses — the ASPI fell 0.5% for the week (up 0.6% on Friday) with Friday turnover of Rs. 2bn. Ceylon Tobacco announced an interim dividend of Rs. 40.90 per share; notable moves included gains in Royal Ceramics, Dipped Products and Lanka Milk Foods and a decline in John Keells.

Colombo Stock Exchange opened November with Rs.5.0 billion turnover as ASPI rose 0.7% to 12,864. Diversified financials led turnover (52%) and an off-board crossing saw CDB's 12.7% stake trade at Rs.247.50; several banks and mid/small caps (HNB, PABC, DFCC) saw heavy activity or gains.

ACL Cables (ACL.N0000) is promoting the proposed SLS 733 Part Two fire‑retardant PVC cable standard as the Sri Lanka Standards Institution invites public comments; the standard aims to set stricter flame‑retardant criteria for cables to improve home safety.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up: ASPI +1.07% to 12,745 and S&P SL20 +1.71% to 3,855 on turnover of 3.9 billion. Top turnover generators included HNB, Sampath, Commercial Bank, Lanka IOC and CIC, with a net foreign outflow of 12.21 million rupees.

ASPI fell 9 points to 12,300 with turnover of Rs.19.3 billion; John Keells Holdings (JKH.N0000) led turnover (Rs.676m), had rights converted to ordinary shares and rose to Rs.199.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed mixed: ASPI fell 0.08% to 12,300 while S&P SL20 rose 0.11% to 3,628, with turnover Rs1.9bn and a net foreign inflow of Rs37m. Top contributors included John Keells, Lion Brewery, Sampath Bank, HNB and Central Finance.

ASPI closed down 4 points at 12,309 while S&P SL20 rose 2 points, with turnover of Rs.1.5 billion and foreign investors net selling Rs.109.4 million. ACL, UAL and HELA were among gainers while CFIN, LMF, LIOC, HAYL, RCL and SPEN were notable losers; Capital Goods led turnover.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed mixed: ASPI fell 0.03% to 12,309 while the S&P SL20 rose 0.05% to 3,624, with turnover of 1.4 billion and net foreign outflow of 109 million rupees. Top gainers included Sampath Bank, ACL Cables and Hemas; laggards included Hayleys, Central Finance, Royal Ceramics and Aitken Spence, and Lanka IOC reported a 50% drop in Sept quarter profit to 2,525 million rupees.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: All Share Index +0.18% to 12,313 and S&P SL20 +0.26% to 3,622, with turnover Rs1.9bn. Renewed investor interest in leasing/finance on a possible vehicle import ban reversal and positive results/crossings at L B Finance and CDB; net foreign outflow Rs87mn.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down, the All Share Index fell 0.16% to 12,152 with turnover Rs 2.1bn and a net foreign outflow of Rs 339m; top foreign buying included Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank, ACL Cables, Melstacorp and Elpitiya Plantations, and Agarapatana Plantations suspended trading after announcing a Rs1 dividend.

Colombo's ASPI rose about 6 points to 12,171 as turnover was Rs.1.4bn, led by Commercial Bank, Hayleys and John Keells. Hayleys (+4.5%) and John Keells (+2.5%) were major index movers while banking counters saw profit-taking (Sampath down) and foreigners net sold Rs.21.4m.