News & market updates

Colombo market closed marginally higher with ASPI +0.2% and S&P SL20 +0.6% on turnover of Rs.5.5bn. Banking led turnover (30%) and gained 1.25%; notable moves included Sampath +Rs1, Commercial Bank +Rs2, Sierra Cables +Rs0.40, Lanka IOC +Rs0.50 and LOLC -Rs4, with net foreign outflow of Rs.93m.

ASPI rose ~232 points (1.41%) to 16,578 as the Colombo market returned to positive territory with turnover of Rs.3.58bn. Ceylinco, Central Finance, Sampath, LOLC and NDB were top positive contributors while CTC, HNB and SPEN weighed on the index; Ambeon, JKH and Printcare also gained.

ASPI fell 1.3% (221 pts) to 16,345 as the Colombo market stayed bearish for a second day with Rs.2.4bn turnover; the Banking sector led losses and turnover, with HNB, SAMP, DFCC, MELS and COMB the main negatives and CTC, RICH and COOP top positives.

Colombo's ASPI rebounded, rising over 50 points (0.3%) after a prior Rs.188 billion drop, with bargain buying lifting the market and the banking sector leading turnover. Sampath, DFCC, Seylan, C T Holdings and John Keells were top positive contributors while Ceylinco and Aitken Spence weighed on the index.

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 bourse sustained upward momentum as the ASPI rose 0.4% and the S&P SL20 gained 0.3% on turnover of Rs.6.35 bn; BIL, RICH, HNB, CFIN and LOLC were top positive contributors while JKH fell. Foreign investors were net sellers with a Rs.300 mn outflow.

Colombo market closed Friday lower with the ASPI down 108 points (0.64%) to 16,918 and the S&P SL20 off 1.23%; turnover was Rs.7.44bn. Food, Beverage & Tobacco and Banking were top turnover contributors while selected stocks (e.g., Melstacorp, Sierra Cables) saw mixed moves.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose as banking stocks led gains after Fitch upgraded several Sri Lankan banks; the ASPI closed up 1.40% at 16,828.80. Turnover was LKR 10.66bn with a net domestic inflow of LKR 670m and a net foreign outflow of LKR 670m; notable movers included HNB, NDB, Browns and Ceylon Tobacco.

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 bourse ended a four-week winning run as the ASPI fell 299 points to 16,049 (-1.83%) and the S&P SL20 dropped 2.24%; turnover was Rs.11.48bn and foreigners were net buyers of Rs.142m. Sampath, Commercial Bank, LOLC, Melstacorp and Hayleys were among the top negative contributors while JKH gained.

ASPI rose 1.5% (232 pts) for a 22nd straight gain while the S&P SL20 is about 50% YTD, with turnover of Rs.7bn led by heavy activity in LOLC, HNB, SUN, SAMP and SPEN as T‑bill yields eased and retail participation rose.

Citrus Leisure PLC (REEF.N0000) has appointed Samantha Ranatunga as Chairman and Niran Mahawatte as an Independent Non-Executive Director for Citrus and its subsidiaries Hikkaduwa Beach Resort (CITH.N0000) and Waskaduwa Beach Resort (CITW.N0000). They fill vacancies left by the resignations of Suresh De Mel and Vasula Premawardhana.

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 bourse ended the week mixed: ASPI rose 24 points (+0.19%) while the S&P SL20 fell over 12 points (-0.3%) on Rs.3.7bn turnover and a net foreign outflow of Rs.381.9m. Key contributors included AHUN, LLUB, SAMP and BIL, with consumer services leading turnover and banks and hotels drawing investor interest.

The Colombo market ended the post-election week with ASPI down 1.1% for the week (S&P SL20 down 2.7%) but closed yesterday up 0.56% on below-average turnover of Rs.1.9bn. Banking stocks led turnover (Seylan, Pan Asia, Sampath, HNB) while BREW, COMB, CINS, SEYB and DIPD were top positive contributors and JKH dipped.

Colombo market slipped on profit-taking: ASPI fell 0.95% (126 pts) and S&P SL20 fell 1.6% on turnover of Rs.6bn. John Keells, Hatton National and Sampath were major decliners while SERV and MARA saw investor interest; foreigners were net sellers of Rs.772.5m.

Colombo stock market ended the shortened General Election week higher, with ASPI up 3.1% and the S&P SL20 up 3.8% and average weekly turnover of Rs.4.37 billion. Banking counters (Sampath, Commercial Bank, DFCC, Nations Trust, Pan Asia) led gains and turnover, while Browns Investments and several hotels and finance stocks saw notable investor interest.

Colombo market extended its pre-election rally as the ASPI gained 136 pts to 13,125 and the S&P SL20 neared 4,000 on turnover of Rs.7bn. Banking stocks led the advance (Sampath, DFCC, NDB, NTB, JKH, LOLC, MELS, CTHR among contributors) and several firms (ASIY, GRAN, TAFL, GLAS) announced interim dividends.

Colombo's ASPI briefly touched 13,000 while turnover rose to Rs. 4.3 billion as markets rallied ahead of parliamentary elections. The banking sector led turnover and counters such as John Keells, Richard Pieris, C T Holdings, Bukit Darah and DFCC were among top contributors.

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.

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 rebounded as the ASPI rose 0.27% to 12,290 on turnover of about Rs.1.75 billion, driven by gains in hotel counters and select plantation and telecom stocks.

Colombo market closed lower with the S&P SL20 down 0.7% and ASPI down 0.4%, while foreigners were net buyers of Rs.153.6m. Banks (e.g. Commercial Bank, Sampath) dragged indices, while Balangoda Plantations, John Keells and Hayleys Fabric led turnover with mixed price moves.

Colombo Bourse closed marginally higher (ASPI +12) with net foreign inflows of Rs.267m, led by strong foreign buying in John Keells (JKH: net +Rs.132.7m; JKH up Rs.4.50 to Rs.198.25). Turnover was Rs.1.6bn; capital goods (via JKH), banking and F&B were top turnover contributors.

Colombo bourse saw net foreign inflows of Rs. 339.1 mn while the ASPI fell 19 points on turnover of Rs. 2.1 bn. John Keells drew the most foreign buying and led turnover, banks (Sampath, DFCC) weighed on the index and AGPL rose 9.8% after a 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.

Colombo market rose as ASPI gained 0.9% (111 points) to 12,165, a three-month high, with turnover of Rs.2.77 bn led by banking stocks; S&P SL20 rose 1.3% and top contributors included CTHR, SAMP, HNB, JKH and COMB.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI rose 0.92% to 12,164 and S&P SL20 gained 1.34% to 3,590, led by banking stocks which accounted for Rs 1.4bn of turnover; top contributors included C T Holdings, Sampath Bank, John Keells and Commercial Bank.