News & market updates

Hayleys PLC reported 1H Profit Before Tax of Rs. 13.33 billion (up 5% YoY). Consolidated revenue rose 14% to Rs. 269.53 billion for the six months (2Q revenue +13%), PAT and EBITDA improved, it acquired a substantial stake in Harischandra Mills PLC and retained a 'AAA (lka)' Fitch rating.

Hayleys PLC reported Profit Before Tax of Rs.13.33 bn for the six months to 31 Mar 2026 (up 5% y‑o‑y) with H1 revenue rising 14% to Rs.269.53 bn. The group expanded into mobility and supermarkets and acquired a substantial stake in Harischandra Mills PLC.

Colombo bourse closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.15% to 22,804.84 amid foreign net selling of Rs.893 million and turnover of about Rs.5.6bn; the S&P SL20 rose 0.18%. Capital goods and materials led activity with notable stock moves including Aitken Spence (-Rs.1), Hayleys (-Rs.0.75) and John Keells (+Rs.0.40).

ASPI closed 0.17% lower at 22,812.52 (‑38.43 pts) as profit-taking pushed the market into the red; turnover was Rs.6.2bn and foreigners were net buyers of Rs.25.8m. Capital Goods led activity while HARI, SAMP, MELS and SFCL were key negative contributors and DOCK and RCL saw notable moves.

Colombo ASPI fell 0.17% to 22,812.52 on Friday as selling pressure trimmed the market by 38.43 points; top decliners included Harischandra Mills, Sampath Bank, Melstacorp and Senkadagala Finance.

Hayleys PLC made a mandatory offer to buy 1,140,654 ordinary shares (59.42%) of Harischandra Mills at Rs3,300 per share. Harischandra shares were trading at Rs9,200 and Hayleys had already acquired 778,946 shares (40.58%) at Rs3,300 in mid‑October.

The Colombo Stock Exchange closed marginally up as the ASPI gained 0.03% (7.45 pts) to 22,791.07 on turnover of Rs.6.61bn; DOCK, SAMP, CFIN, HARI and HUNT were among top contributors while foreigners were net sellers of Rs.235.1m.

Sri Lanka's ASPI closed up 0.03% at 22,791.07 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.11% to 6,276.86; market turnover was Rs6.61bn led by capital goods (Rs1.5bn) and banks (Rs1.19bn). Top ASPI contributors included Colombo Dockyard, Sampath Bank, Central Finance and Harischandra Mills.

ASPI rose 0.66% (+149.82 pts) to 22,783.62 as the Colombo bourse extended gains, led by banks and diversified financials with heavy turnover and notable rises in SEYB, HNB, CFIN, COOP, HARI, SIRA, DFCC and WIND.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI rose 0.66% to 22,783.62 and the S&P SL20 rose 0.47% to 6,292.27, led by heavy buying in banks and finance; top contributors included Central Finance, Co-operative Insurance, Harischandra Mills, DFCC, WindForce and Seylan Bank.

Colombo market closed higher as ASPI rose 0.97% (217.65 pts) to 22,633.80 with turnover above Rs.11.2 billion and foreigners net sold Rs.1.4 billion. Banking led activity (29% of turnover); CTHR, HARI, CARG, JKH and DFCC were key positive contributors and HAYL bought 779,123 HARI shares.

Hayleys PLC bought a 40.58% stake in Harischandra Mills PLC, acquiring 778,946 shares at Rs.3,300 each for Rs.2.57 billion. Harischandra shares closed at Rs.7,424.50 (up ~Rs.2,500) and reported a group NAV per share of Rs.931.40 as of end-June 2025.

Hayleys bought a 40% stake in Harischandra Mills, a deal that added Rs2.58bn to turnover and sent Harischandra shares up 50% to Rs7,424.50. Maharaja Foods declared a 10 cent dividend and plans a rights issue to raise Rs112.5mn, while Kotagala Plantations said its rights issue was oversubscribed (Rs76.42mn).

Dhammika Perera bought a 40% stake in Harischandra Mills PLC, acquiring 778,946 shares from Senthilverl Holdings at Rs.3,300 each for about Rs.2.57 billion.

Hayleys PLC bought into Harischandra Mills PLC, acquiring a 40% (779,123-share) stake from Senthilverl Holdings and HARI shares spiked to 5,250 on heavy volume. Report notes lower interest rates after the central bank missed its inflation target have supported M&A activity.

Colombo Stock Exchange opened mixed: ASPI was flat at 22,321.08 (+0.01%) while the S&P SL20 fell 0.30% to 6,207.37, with turnover Rs.5.68bn and foreign net inflow of Rs.45.6m; diversified financials led turnover.

Sri Lanka's ASPI closed flat at 22,321.08 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.30% to 6,207.37 with turnover of 5.68 billion rupees; top contributors were Dialog Axiata, C T Holdings, Ambeon Holdings and Harischandra Mills (all up). Gold hit a record high amid US-China tariff threats.

Harischandra Mills was awarded Ecolabel Sri Lanka certification, recognizing its adoption of eco-friendly production standards. Other firms honoured included Siam City Cement, Melwa and Nippon Paints Sri Lanka, highlighting broader industry moves toward sustainability.

Dividend · Rs 40.00 · XD Sep 8, 2025

Final dividend of LKR 40/share; XD 2025-09-08; record 2025-09-08; payable 2025-09-25; FY 31st March 2025

Global coconut milk powder market is projected to rise from USD 224.2m in 2025 to USD 409.9m by 2032, a 9% CAGR; growth is driven by veganism, lactose intolerance and expanded food, beverage and personal care applications.

Dividend · Rs 40.00 · XD Jun 4, 2025

First Interim dividend of LKR 40/share; XD 2025-06-04; record 2025-06-04; payable 2025-06-24; FY 31st March 2025