News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange's ASPI rose 2.53% to 16,348.55 on Jan 2, 2025 (S&P SL20 up 2.26%), with banks and tourism-exposed stocks leading gains and a net foreign inflow of Rs 88.6 million.

The ASPI crossed the 15,000 mark, closing at 15,021 after a 210-point (1.4%) gain on Rs.8.5bn turnover, led by heavy activity in banking and contributions from Browns Investments, HNB, Sampath, LOLC and JKH.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI rose 1.07% to 14,810 and turnover hit Rs9.23bn, the highest since Feb 7. Top contributors included Central Finance, Ceylon Cold Stores, Melstacorp, Access Engineering and Chevron Lubricants; net foreign outflow was Rs226m.

Colombo Stock Market closed mixed: ASPI +40 pts (+0.27%) while S&P SL20 -14 pts (-0.3%), with turnover Rs.5.85bn on 357m shares and a net foreign outflow of Rs.1.5m. Top contributors included Ceylon Cold Stores, PGP Glass, John Keells, Lanka IOC, Dipped Products and Lanka Milk Foods, with Food, Beverage & Tobacco leading turnover.

Colombo market closed with the ASPI up 0.27% at 14,654.26 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.32% to 4,390.12 as profit-taking in banking stocks weighed on the SL20. Top gainers included Ceylon Cold Stores, PGP Glass, John Keells, Dipped Products and Lanka IOC; net foreign outflow was Rs 1.4 million.

The ASPI rose 0.67% to 14,614 as the Colombo bourse closed higher with turnover of Rs. 6 billion and a net foreign inflow of Rs. 100.7 million. Banking led turnover (20%) and HNB, DIMO, Vallibel One, Central Finance and CTC were among the top positive contributors.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher — ASPI +0.11% at 14,516.46 and S&P SL20 +0.80% at 4,384.75, with turnover of 6.35 billion. Top contributors included John Keells, Commercial Bank, NDB, Cargills and Lanka IOC; net foreign inflow was Rs 336 million and there was notable activity in banking, consumer and hotel stocks.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI rose 2.08% to 14,500 and S&P SL20 rose 2.48% to 4,349 on Dec 16, 2024, with turnover of 8.2 billion. Top turnover generators included Ceylinco, John Keells, Sampath, HNB and Pan Asia; banking stocks rose after the ISB announcement and net foreign inflow was Rs 100 million.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI crossed 14,500, closing at 14,500.44 (+295.10 pts, +2.08%) with turnover of Rs.8.27 billion; top contributors were Ceylinco Holdings (Rs.1.19bn), John Keells (Rs.532m), Sampath Bank (Rs.442m) and Hatton National Bank (Rs.395m).

John Keells Holdings is a partner in the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) project, which Adani will self-finance with $700 million; the $1bn, 35-year terminal development remains on track for commissioning in early 2025.

Colombo stock market extended its bull run as the ASPI rose about 4% for the week (closing at 14,205) on high turnover (avg Rs.5.66bn), led by heavy trading and price gains in Hemas, HNB, Lanka Milk Foods, John Keells and Alumex.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI hit a record high, closing at 14,205.34 after rising 169.53 points. The S&P SL20 rose 57.99 to 4,244.45 on turnover of Rs. 6.14 billion, with top contributors including Hemas, Hatton National Bank, Lanka Milk Foods, John Keells and Alumex.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI rose 1.21% to 14,205 and the S&P SL20 gained 1.39% to 4,244. Top contributors included Ceylinco Holdings, Melstacorp, HNB, Central Finance and Sampath; turnover was 6.1 billion with a foreign net inflow of 126 million rupees.

The 31st FACETS Gem & Jewellery Show will run 4–6 Jan 2025 at Cinnamon Grand, Colombo, drawing international traders and organisers aiming to help the gem sector reach $1bn in exports; the event is expected to boost tourism and hotel activity in Colombo.

Colombo Stock Exchange's ASPI hit a record 14,035, up 1.09% (150.72 pts) on Dec 12. Investors were upbeat ahead of the ISB bid deadline, with top contributors Ceylon Beverage, Hatton National Bank, Sampath Bank, John Keells and Commercial Bank and a foreign net inflow of 306 million rupees.

FACETS 2025, the 31st Gem & Jewellery Show, will run 4–6 Jan 2025 at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo and is expected to attract international buyers and visitors, likely boosting hotel demand in Colombo and other tourist areas.

ASPI rose 0.8% to 13,885, crossing a 30% year-to-date gain while turnover topped Rs.6 billion, led by John Keells, LOLC, Digital Mobility (PKME), Dialog (DIAL) and Sampath Bank (SAMP). The market closed positive for a 12th consecutive day with notable retail and HNW participation.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose with the ASPI up 0.80% (110.13 pts) to 13,885 and the S&P SL20 up 0.73% to 4,143 on turnover Rs6bn. Major contributors included capital goods and diversified financials, with gains for Ceylon Beverage, Sampath Bank, Melstacorp and John Keells; foreign net outflow Rs393mn.

Adani Ports withdrew its funding request to the U.S. DFC for the Colombo West International Terminal and will finance the project via internal accruals and a capital management plan. John Keells Holdings owns a 34% stake in the terminal and the project is on track for commissioning by early 2025.

John Keells Group marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 Nov through its Project WAVE campaign, reaffirming zero-tolerance workplace policies; Project WAVE has impacted over 4.9 million people since its 2014 launch.

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts will open Kandy Myst by Cinnamon in early 2025, a 215-room hotel in Kandy (management partnership with Indra Traders). The property, billed as the largest inventory in Kandy, aims to boost the city’s tourism offering and local economic activity.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.41% to 13,774, led by gains in diversified financials and capital goods with top contributors including Browns Investments, John Keells, LOLC Finance and Ceylon Tobacco. Turnover was Rs4.3bn and Abans's Rs300mn debenture issue was oversubscribed.

Colombo Stock Exchange extended gains for a 10th day, led by heavy turnover and price rises in Asia Asset Finance (up Rs.4 to Rs.21), Hayleys (up Rs.6.25 to Rs.115.25) and Ambeon Capital (up Rs.3.40 to Rs.22.90).

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up with the ASPI hitting a historic peak, rising 0.35% to 13,559 while the S&P SL20 gained 0.91% to 4,053 on turnover of Rs4.4bn, led by capital goods and banks; market participants noted bullish interest in banking, diversified financial, construction and tourism sectors.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI hit an all-time high, up 1.29% to 13,511 and the S&P SL20 rose 1.90% to 4,016 on turnover of Rs5.2bn. Banks and bluechips led gains (Commercial Bank, Sampath, John Keells, DFCC, NDB, Lion Brewery) amid bullish flows and nearing debt restructuring.

HNB PLC launched festive cardholder offers including discounts up to 70% and a grand raffle awarding one fully paid 'Anthem of the Seas' cruise for two. Promotions cover 300+ merchants (including Keells, Cargills, Softlogic); raffle entry requires LKR 100,000 spend and interest-free instalments with waived fees until Dec 31, 2024.

Colombo market opened higher as the ASPI rose 0.30% to 13,229 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.12% on turnover of Rs. 2.3bn; top contributors included HAYL, SPEN, AEL, JKH and CFIN, with Lion Brewery closing up at Rs. 1,114.75.

Seven listed corporates (John Keells, Carson Cumberbatch, Aitken Spence, LOLC, Commercial Bank, Sunshine and Elpitiya Plantations) supported the Daily FT-CICRA 10th Annual Cyber Security Summit, which provided cyber security training to over 100 state university students. The full-day event covered fraud detection, data breaches and AI-related cyber risks and included a night hack and CEO Forum.