News & market updates

Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB) launched TxB TradeX, a next-generation digital trade finance platform with IFINITY and Finastra to provide 24/7 digital access for letters of credit, shipping guarantees and import/export bill processing. The platform aims to digitise trade documentation and approvals for corporates and SMEs, improving speed and visibility across the trade finance lifecycle.

A 10% stake transfer in Hatton National Bank (HNB) drove Colombo Stock Exchange gains: ASPI rose 0.98% to 16,657.63 and turnover surged to 18.7 billion rupees, with the HNB trade contributing 14.4 billion; HNB closed at 319.50 (up 17.25).

Hatton National Bank (HNB) saw 45,317,177 shares transferred at Rs.305 each to Ceylon Steel, generating Rs.13.82bn (Rs.14.42bn total HNB turnover) and helping lift CSE turnover to Rs.18.7bn; HNB closed at Rs.319.50, up 5.71%.

Ceylon Steel bought a 9.99% stake in Hatton National Bank (45,317,177 shares) from Browns Investments at Rs.305 per share, a Rs.13.82bn transaction. Capital Alliance Securities acted as broker for the buyer/seller and the deal pushed market turnover past Rs.17bn early in the day.

Browns Investments sold its entire 9.99% stake in Hatton National Bank — 45.3m shares crossed at Rs.305 for Rs.13.82bn. Capital Alliance Securities brokered the buyer and facilitated 60% of the trade, which pushed market turnover past Rs.15bn in the first two hours.

Hatton National Bank (HNB) signed a partnership with Lanka Commercial Trading on April 8, 2025 to offer leasing packages for agricultural machinery (Yanmar, Solis tractors and Samurai Naca 100 harvesters) with competitive rates and tailored repayment terms.

Colombo's All Share Price Index closed up 0.01% at 16,496.24 after a volatile session. Large-cap banking stocks including John Keells, Sampath, HNB and Commercial Bank fell and weighed on the market, while exporters such as Teejay Lanka and Hayleys Fabric rose marginally after a US trade-talks invite.

Hatton National Bank (HNB) signed a strategic partnership with Lanka Commercial Trading on 8 April to offer flexible leasing packages for agricultural machinery (Yanmar and Solis tractors; Samurai Naca 100 harvesters), with competitive rates and tailored repayment terms.

HNB announced a strategic partnership with United Motors Lanka (UML) on 27 March 2025 to expand leasing facilities for Mitsubishi and FUSO vehicles, offering competitive packages, faster processing and wider access via HNB’s branch network.

HNB Life PLC (HASU) won the 'Best Life Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka' award for the fifth consecutive year. The company highlighted its partnership with parent Hatton National Bank (HNB) and said it is targeting a 10% market share via the partnership channel.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell 0.37% as profit taking and concern over a proposed 18.3% electricity tariff hike weighed on markets, with the ASPI down 61.43 points to 16,336.25 and banking names notably weaker; turnover slipped to 1.5 billion rupees.

Colombo Bourse opened the week higher: ASPI +0.1% and S&P SL20 +0.3% with turnover Rs. 2.6bn, led by banking stocks (Pan Asia, Commercial Bank, Seylan, HNB) and gains in John Keells and C T Holdings.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed 0.11% higher (ASPI 16,397.79) as investor confidence lifted stocks, led by gains in Hatton National Bank, John Keells, Seylan Bank, C T Holdings and Commercial Bank; turnover was 2.61 billion rupees.

HNB Group reported Q1 2025 Group PAT of Rs 11.1 Bn (up 49% YoY) and Bank PAT of Rs 10.2 Bn (up 64% YoY). The bank completed acquisition of the remaining 50% stake in HNB Investment Bank from DFCC PLC and participated in HNB Finance PLC’s rights issue; Net Stage 3 ratio improved to 1.82%.

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court will accept online payments via the GovPay system, enabled through multiple bank and fintech apps including Commercial Bank, HNB, Seylan Bank, DFCC and NDB, eliminating the need for physical queues.

Supreme Court launched GovPay online payments on 15 May 2025, enabling real-time payments via multiple banking and FinTech platforms including ComBank, HNB, Seylan, DFCC and NDB. The move allows secure online payment of various court fees and aims to reduce cash transactions and queues.

Colombo market jumped as the ASPI rose 215 points (1.35%) to 16,131, reclaiming the 16,000 level with turnover of Rs.3.3bn. HNB, COMB, CFIN, SAMP, SPEN and JKH were among the top drivers and foreign investors were net buyers (Rs.25.5m).

HNB Group reported Q1 2025 Group PAT of Rs. 11.1 billion and Bank PAT of Rs. 10.2 billion, up 49% and 64% YoY respectively. The bank posted NII of Rs. 23.7 billion, strong capital ratios (Tier 1 17.60%, total 21.89%), improved net stage 3 ratio to 1.82%, acquired the remaining 50% of HNB Investment Bank from DFCC and participated in HNB Finance PLC’s rights issue.

Colombo ASPI rose 1.63% to 16,176.10 after a US‑China 90‑day tariff pause and some positive interim/annual results lifted markets. Banking names HNB, Central Finance, Commercial Bank and Sampath led gains while DFCC fell after interim results, Dialog Finance noted fraud-related legal action and coconut exporters slipped.

Colombo market ended the session marginally down with the ASPI falling 10 points to 15,916 while both ASPI and S&P SL20 gained 0.4% for the week; turnover was about Rs.1.5–1.54 billion and Materials led activity. Ceylon Grain Elevators (GRAN) rose 6.06% and HNB gained, while HHL, TJL, SPEN and RCL pressured the index; ACME closed flat.

Fitch assigned a final National Long-Term Rating of 'A+(lka)' to Vidullanka PLC’s proposed LKR500 million sukuk. Proceeds will refinance short-term loans and fund working capital, with Hatton National Bank as trustee.

Hatton National Bank reported March 2025 quarter profit rose 48% to LKR 10.6 billion (EPS LKR 18.71). Net interest income grew 8% to LKR 23.6bn, loans edged up to LKR 1,078bn, insurance premium income rose 26% to LKR 5.4bn and Tier I capital fell to 17.60%.

Sri Lanka stocks closed marginally weaker as the ASPI fell 0.06% to 15,916.17 amid lower turnover and investor caution over IMF talks, US tariff discussions and GSP+ uncertainty. HNB reported March-quarter profit up 48% to LKR 10.6 billion, while several exporters and tourism-linked stocks fell.

ASPI rose 84.3 points (+0.5%) to 15,926 on low turnover of about Rs.1.7bn while foreigners were net sellers of Rs.35.1m; gains were led by counters including CINS, MELS, COMB and SPEN, with Food, Beverage & Tobacco and Banking driving activity.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.53% (up 84.32 pts to 15,925.92) after the World Bank pledged US$1bn, lifting banking shares including HNB, Sampath, Commercial Bank and DFCC. Export-oriented stocks such as Teejay Lanka and Dipped Products fell as turnover dropped to LKR1.6bn.

Hayleys PLC's LKR 7 billion senior unsecured redeemable debenture issue was fully subscribed on opening day (base LKR 5bn plus LKR 2bn oversubscription). The debentures are rated 'AAA (lka)' and proceeds will be used to reprofile short-term debt and bolster liquidity.

Hayleys PLC's Rs.7 billion senior unsecured redeemable debenture issue was fully subscribed on opening day (base Rs.5bn plus Rs.2bn oversubscription). The AAA (lka)-rated debentures offer three- and five-year fixed and a five-year floating option; proceeds will re-profile short-term debt.

Colombo stocks rose 0.28% as the ASPI closed at 15,961.59 after the exchange shut early at 12:30pm for local government voting. Major banks were mixed—Sampath, Commercial, DFCC and NDB gained while HNB and Seylan fell—and turnover dropped to 1.4 billion rupees.

Sri Lanka’s ASPI rose 0.41% to 15,916.69 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.57% to 4,664.82 as bank and mid-cap stocks strengthened ahead of local elections; HNB, Sampath, Commercial Bank, DFCC, NDB, John Keells and Lanka Milk Foods all closed higher.

HNB General Insurance was named Sri Lanka’s Most Awarded General Insurance Company 2024 by LMD and had its Fitch credit rating upgraded to 'A(lka)' from 'A-(lka)'.