News & market updates

Commercial Bank’s Q+ Payment App is now available to customers of other domestic banks after integrating with LankaPay’s JustPay platform. The integration enables QR transactions, bill payments and fund transfers via Q+ and broadens access to the app’s features and offers.

ASPI gained 1% to close at 12,053 as investors returned to buying, led by banking and blue-chip stocks; turnover was Rs. 2.8bn. Sampath Bank, John Keells and Commercial Bank were among top contributors to the session's gains.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) was ranked second in the LMD 100 2023-24, moving up five places and remaining the highest-ranked bank. The group reported 2023 gross income Rs.341.5bn, total assets Rs.2.65tr and net profit Rs.21.9bn, with H1 2024 income Rs.163.1bn and net profit Rs.18.9bn.

Sri Lanka stocks closed up 1% with the Colombo All Share Index rising 123.5 points to 12,053, led by gains in John Keells, Sampath, Hatton National Bank and NDB. Turnover was 2.83 billion rupees; Melstacorp rose while Lion Brewery fell.

Commercial Bank's Q+ Payment App can now be used by customers of other domestic banks after integration with LankaPay's JustPay, expanding access for QR payments, bill payments and fund transfers.

Colombo's ASPI fell 4 points to 11,930 as the market stayed bearish, with S&P SL20 down 26 points (0.7%), turnover Rs.1.3bn and net foreign outflow of Rs.18m. Major negatives were HNB, SAMP, COMB, HAYL and JKH while CINS and PKME (PickMe) were among gainers; Commercial Credit and Lankem also rose.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower on Oct 3: All Share Index fell 0.04% to 11,929 and S&P SL20 dropped 0.75% to 3,483, with turnover of LKR 1.3 billion and a net foreign outflow of LKR 17 million.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB) was ranked No. 2 in the LMD 100 for 2023-24, moving up five places and remaining the highest-ranked bank for the 31st year. Group 2023 gross income was Rs 341.5bn, total assets Rs 2.65tn and net profit Rs 21.9bn (H1 2024: income Rs 163.1bn, assets Rs 2.69tn, profit Rs 18.9bn).

Colombo market cooled after 11 straight gains as the ASPI fell about 59 points (0.5%) on turnover of Rs.2.3bn, with banks contributing 59% of turnover. Sampath, Commercial and Hatton National rose, while Vallibel One and Nations Trust fell; JKH, LOLC, NDB, Hayleys and DFCC weighed on the index.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell: All Share Index down 0.49% to 11,934 and S&P SL20 down 0.31% to 3,510, with turnover Rs 2.2bn and net foreign outflow Rs 123mn. Banks drew investor interest and crossings/top turnover involved Sampath, Commercial, HNB, Nations Trust, Hayleys and Vallibel One.

Colombo market extended gains as the ASPI closed at 11,992.91 (+1.16%), led by banking and consumer durables; HNB, Sampath, Commercial Bank, DFCC and John Keells were top positive contributors amid higher turnover and renewed apparel export demand.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake's 21 Sept. presidential win propelled the Colombo bourse—ASPI rose ~10% and S&P SL20 ~13% since the victory, returning indices to double-digit YTD gains. Turnover jumped to Rs.2.6bn with banks and capital goods leading; JKH, COMB, NDB, CFIN, SAMP and HNB were key positives while UML, MARA and BERU fell.

Ceylon Hospitals resolved to amalgamate with its subsidiary Durdans Heart Centre via a share swap of 0.2933 CHPLC shares per DHC share, with a Rs33 cash option; trading in CHL shares was halted pending the disclosure. The Colombo bourse closed higher (ASPI +1.16%), led by gains in banking stocks including HNB, JKH, Commercial Bank, DFCC and Sampath.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose with the All Share Index up 0.69% to 11,855 and the S&P SL20 up 1.45% to 3,459 on turnover of 2.6 billion; banking stocks led gains while there was a net foreign outflow of Rs 123 million.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon chairman Sharhan Muhseen spoke on sustainable finance at the UN Global Compact 'Forward Faster Now | Asia & Oceania' event in Kuala Lumpur (Aug 5–6, 2024). Sri Lankan leaders from sectors including food and tourism also showcased SDG action and best practices.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon was named the Asian Development Bank’s 'Leading Partner Bank' in Sri Lanka for trade and supply chain finance for the fourth consecutive year, recording the highest number of transactions between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N0000) was named ADB’s Leading Partner Bank in Sri Lanka for trade and supply chain finance for the fourth consecutive year, recording the highest number of transactions between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024.

Private credit in Sri Lanka rose by Rs135bn in August 2024, up from Rs60bn in July. The pickup supports bank lending but occurs amid central bank deflationary policy and warnings about inflation and rupee pressure.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: All Share Index up 0.87% to 11,773 and S&P SL20 up 0.76% to 3,409, with turnover of 2.9 billion and net foreign inflow of 69 million rupees. Banking stocks led gains (HNB, Commercial Bank, DFCC, NDB) while some crossings and active foreign flows hit multiple counters.

Colombo market turnover topped Rs. 4 billion as the ASPI closed up 12 points at 11,672, marking an eighth consecutive day of gains. Banking stocks drove activity—contributing 39% of turnover with HNB, Sampath, NDB, Teejay Lanka and DFCC among top positive contributors, while Commercial Bank fell.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: All Share Index up 0.10% at 11,671 and S&P SL20 up 0.50% at 3,384, turnover 4.3 billion and net foreign inflow of 633 million rupees.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon pledges to plant 10,500 trees to restore 15 acres of the Yagirala rainforest in Kalutara District. The bank will partner with the University of Sri Jayewardenepura to remove invasive species and engage local communities in the conservation project.

ASPI rose 326 points (2.87%) to 11,660, the biggest single-day gain in 14 months, as turnover hit Rs.4 billion and banks and blue-chip counters led a broad-based rally following the presidential election.

Hayleys tops the LMD 100 for FY2023/24 with consolidated revenue in excess of Rs.436 billion. Commercial Bank is second with nearly Rs.342 billion and LOLC third with over Rs.337 billion; Ceylon Tobacco leads profitability with PAT above Rs.27 billion.

Colombo ASPI jumped 237.31 points (2.14%) — the largest daily gain in 2024 — on turnover of Rs.2 billion as banks and capital goods led gains; CCS rose 10.2% and Commercial Bank, HNB, Sampath, John Keells, Melstacorp, LOLC and Access Engineering were among top contributors.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: All Share Index +2.87% to 11,659 and S&P SL20 +4.09% to 3,367, with turnover Rs3.9bn and net foreign inflow Rs82.10m. Banking stocks led gains while foreign buying concentrated in Sampath, HNB, Bukit Darah and LOLC Finance and selling hit CIC, Nations Trust, hSenid, John Keells and Ceylon Cold Stores.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC’s Bangladesh operation won four awards at the ICC Emerging Asia Banking Awards 2024, including 'Best Foreign Bank in Bangladesh'. The unit also received a 'AAA' long-term credit rating from CRISL for 2024, its 14th consecutive highest rating.

Sri Lanka stocks surged 2.1% Tuesday, with the All Share Index up 237.31 points to 11,334.12, led by retail buying in banks. Commercial Bank, Melstacorp, LOLC, Hatton National Bank and Ceylon Cold Stores were among the top contributors.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon’s Bangladesh operations won four awards at the ICC Emerging Asia Banking Awards 2024, including Best Foreign Bank in Bangladesh. Its Bangladesh unit also received a 'AAA' long-term credit rating from CRISL for the 14th consecutive year.