News & market updates

The CSE opened May on a mixed note as turnover hit a new high of Rs. 6 billion while the ASPI rose 52 points to 15,852; crossings in CT Holdings and Cargills dominated activity, together accounting for the bulk of turnover. Banking and food retail stocks, including Pan Asia Banking and Lankem, were also among top contributors.

ASPI rose 51.80 points (0.33%) to 15,851.74 as turnover hit Rs. 5.9bn, driven by Rs. 2bn crossings in C T Holdings and Cargills. Pan Asia Banking, C T Holdings, DFCC, Melstacorp and Nations Trust were top contributors while John Keells, HNB, Commercial Bank, NDB and Access Engineering weighed on the index.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower: ASPI fell 67.40 points (-0.42%) to 15,799.94. Broad profit-taking hit banks (HNB, SAMP, COMB, CTHR, NDB) while MELS, GLAS, SINS and DIST were among gainers; turnover was Rs.2.37bn with net foreign outflow.

Fitch affirmed Hemas Holdings PLC's National Long-Term Rating at 'AAA (lka)' with a Stable Outlook, citing defensive cash flows and leading positions in pharmaceuticals and HPC; Fitch expects capex to rise to ~Rs.7bn p.a. in FY26–FY27 and forecasts EBITDA net leverage below 1.0x.

Fitch affirmed Hemas Holdings PLC's national long-term rating at 'AAA(lka)' with a Stable Outlook. Fitch cited the group's defensive operating cash flows (healthcare and consumer brands ~90% of EBIT) and noted planned capex rising to around LKR7.0 billion annually in FY26–FY27.

Colombo Bourse closed the week higher, with the ASPI up ~2% and finishing at 15,742 after a 126-point gain on Friday. Market gains were led by LOLC, RCL, NDB, SUN and MELS, with Friday turnover at Rs.2.4bn (Capital Goods, Food & Beverage and Diversified Financials leading) while foreigners were net sellers (Rs.103.6m).

Colombo stocks rose 0.81% as exporters rallied on expectations of a US–Sri Lanka trade deal, with the ASPI closing at 15,742.04 (up 126.41 pts). Key contributors included Teejay Lanka, Hayleys Fabric, Haycarb, Dipped Products, LOLC and Royal Ceramics, while selected banks (Sampath, HNB, Amana) fell.

The ASPI gained 72 points (+0.5%) to 15,616 as the Colombo market bounced back, led by the capital goods sector. Turnover was about Rs.1.5 billion with net foreign inflows of Rs.35.2m; notable movers included Hemas, John Keells, Browns, Alumex and DFCC.

Colombo stocks rallied 0.46% after President Dissanayake said tariff talks with the US were productive, with the ASPI up 71.64 points to 15,615.63. Export-focused names were quieter despite the market uptick.

Colombo market slipped for a third day as the ASPI closed at 15,544 (down ~12 points) while the S&P SL20 rose 0.05%; turnover was Rs.1.09bn, 57% below the monthly average. Food, Beverage & Tobacco led turnover, banking sentiment stayed weak; JKH, SUN, CCS rose while CFIN, DFCC and MELS lagged.

Sri Lanka stocks closed mixed: ASPI fell 0.08% to 15,543.99 while the S&P SL20 rose 0.05% to 4,608.41. Trading was volatile with Lion Brewery, Melstacorp, Central Finance, NTB and DFCC among top decliners, Haycarb and Hayleys Fiber gained and turnover was LKR 1.1bn.

Colombo market ended the week with losses as the ASPI fell 0.6% and the S&P SL20 0.44% on low turnover of Rs. 841.2m and foreign net selling of Rs. 2.1m. Sampath, HNB, DFCC and Melstacorp were top negative contributors, while Commercial Credit, Central Finance, Lanka Milk Foods, Ceylon Cold Stores and Alumex drew buying interest.

Sri Lanka stocks fell sharply as the ASPI closed down 4.64% (712.90 pts) at 14,660.45 and the S&P SL20 fell 5.92% to 4,264.84. Negative sentiment followed a US "Liberation day" tariff announcement; top losers included Commercial Bank (-8.58% to 122.50), HNB (-7.96% to 269.00), Sampath (-5.9% to 102.75), Melstacorp (-5.7% to 120.25) and John Keells (-4.6% to 18.70).

Colombo stock market plunged over 2% as the ASPI fell 350 points after the US imposed reciprocal tariffs on Sri Lanka, hitting export-oriented counters. Turnover rose to Rs.3.8bn with heavy selling in Commercial Bank, Hayleys, Melstacorp, HNB and Sampath, while a 38% TSML stake sale by JKH drove turnover.

A US 44% reciprocal tariff on Sri Lanka exports triggered a market sell-off, sending the ASPI down 2.19% (349.84 pts) and hitting exporters and other stocks (e.g., Hela Apparel -8.11%, Teejay Lanka -8.66%).

The Colombo market opened April higher, with the ASPI up 119 points (0.76%) on turnover of Rs. 1.9 billion. Banking stocks saw early selling around XD dates while blue-chips and capital goods (e.g. Hayleys, John Keells, Melstacorp) were key contributors.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.76% to 15,934.38 as buying interest returned, but turnover remained light at 1.91 billion rupees. Top contributors included Melstacorp, Hayleys, HNB, NDB and LOLC, with banks, capital goods and diversified financials leading turnover.

ASPI fell 67 points (0.4%) on low turnover of Rs.1.65bn; HNB was the largest negative contributor after its ex-dividend date, while SAMP, RICH, HAYL, HHL and SUN were top positive contributors and banks led turnover.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.42% to 15,814.82 and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.53% to 4,734.72; turnover was 1.6 billion with net foreign outflows of 48 million. Top laggards included Hatton National Bank, Melstacorp, Bukit Darah, Dialog Axiata and Ceylon Tobacco.

ASPI rose 33 points (0.2%) as turnover hit Rs.1.9 billion, led by crossings in Hatton National Bank, Commercial Bank and CIC Holdings; banking stocks were the main drivers while materials also saw heavy trading.

Fitch assigned a 'AAA(lka)' National Long-Term Rating to Hayleys PLC's proposed senior unsecured redeemable debentures of up to LKR7 billion. Fitch said the rating aligns with Hayleys' national rating, noted proceeds will repay short-term debt, and forecast ~10% revenue growth in FY25.

Colombo market closed higher — ASPI +12 points, S&P SL20 +19 with turnover of Rs.1.25bn. Major contributors included Commercial Bank, HNB, Melstacorp, NDB and Sampath while John Keells, Hemas, Browns, LOLC and Ceylon Cold Stores were among laggards; foreigners were net buyers of Rs.14.2m.

Sri Lanka's ASPI closed marginally up 0.18% at 15,421.54 as buying returned after a three-day slide, led by gains in Commercial Bank, HNB, Melstacorp, NDB and Sampath; turnover fell to 1.25 billion rupees and net foreign inflow was 14 million rupees.

The ASPI fell about 211 points (1.35%) as the CSE opened lower on a selling spree with turnover of Rs.1.27 billion. Banking counters led the decline while capital goods and food & beverage drove turnover; major laggards included MELS, NDB and SAMP.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 1.33% to 15,645.30 and the S&P SL20 dropped 1.52% to 4,662.66 as turnover fell to 1.27 billion rupees and volumes declined; top decliners included Melstacorp, NDB, Sampath Bank, DFCC and Aitken Spence.

Sri Lanka stocks closed flat with the ASPI at 15,860.44 (-0.70 pts) and the S&P SL20 at 4,737.61 (+0.14%); turnover fell to 1 billion rupees and there was a net foreign inflow of 90 million rupees. Top contributors to the ASPI included Aitken Spence, Sampath Bank, Hemas Holdings and Melstacorp.

Colombo market opened lower as the ASPI fell 0.71% (115 points) and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.69% amid low turnover of Rs. 824.6 million, with banks and blue-chip counters leading the decline.

Colombo bourse ended the first week of March lower, with the ASPI down 2.2% and the S&P SL20 down 2.5%; average daily turnover was Rs. 2.73bn and yesterday's turnover Rs. 2.18bn. Primary negatives included LLUB, SAMP, DFCC and COMB, while MELS, HHL and HNB were the top gainers.

ASPI fell 43 pts (0.27%) to 16,123 as turnover dropped to Rs.2.36bn. CTC, MELS, CCS and BIL were notable negatives while HAYL, SEYB, HHL and CARS led gains; John Keells dominated turnover and its share rose 10c.

Sri Lanka's ASPI closed down 0.05% at 16,115.47 on mixed sentiment with thin turnover of 2.1 billion rupees. There was a net foreign outflow of 409 million rupees; top negatives included Sampath, DFCC and Commercial Bank while John Keells, Hemas and Melstacorp saw high volumes.