Company filings and market news from across Sri Lanka's stock market.
Sampath Bank launched a SampathCards seasonal campaign offering discounts of up to 70% for Sampath Mastercard, Visa credit and debit cardholders from 15 Nov to 31 Dec 2024. The promotion spans retail, dining, electronics, jewellery, supermarkets and other merchant categories to boost card usage.
Bank-led rally lifted the ASPI 0.66% as the banking sector drove 63% of turnover with top contributors including Sampath Bank, Hatton National Bank, Richard Pieris, Dipped Products and DFCC. Turnover was Rs.3.6bn and there was a net foreign outflow of Rs.119.7m.
Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher, ASPI +0.66% to 13,049 and S&P SL20 +0.85% to 3,876, led by banking stocks with Rs2.2bn of turnover. Top contributors included Sampath, HNB, Commercial Bank, DFCC and Dipped Products; NDB's Rs5bn debenture was oversubscribed and Softlogic Life declared a Rs4.5 cash dividend; net foreign inflow was Rs95mn.
Colombo bourse rebounded as the S&P SL20 rose 1.3% and the ASPI gained 0.7% on Rs.1.1bn turnover. Banking led turnover (34%) with Sampath and Commercial Bank among top contributors, capital goods and retail sectors were active, and net foreign outflow was Rs.134m.
APB hosted a CPDC session where NCGIL CEO Jude Fernando outlined a proposed credit guarantee scheme to improve MSME access to finance and lower lending risks for banks.
Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.76% to 12,964 and S&P SL20 rose 1.51% to 3,852, with turnover Rs1.1bn. Banking (Rs383mn) and capital goods (Rs312mn) led activity; top gainers included John Keells Holdings, Hatton National Bank, Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank and Ceylon Tobacco.
Colombo bourse opened lower as the ASPI fell 1.4% to 12,867 and the S&P SL20 dropped 1.9%; turnover was Rs.2.1 billion and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.143 million.
Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower with the ASPI down 1.44% (187.62 pts) to 12,866 and the S&P SL20 down 1.98% to 3,794 on turnover of Rs2.1bn and net foreign outflows of Rs142mn. Top negative contributors included John Keells Hotels, Hatton National Bank, Commercial Bank and Melstacorp, with banks driving significant turnover.
Government will compile a comprehensive report on SME loans and is reviewing whether to extend a temporary suspension of debt recovery under the Parate law that currently expires on 15 December. The Central Bank and commercial banks are preparing the loan data to design targeted relief and assess feasibility.
The Colombo market ended the post-election week with ASPI down 1.1% for the week (S&P SL20 down 2.7%) but closed yesterday up 0.56% on below-average turnover of Rs.1.9bn. Banking stocks led turnover (Seylan, Pan Asia, Sampath, HNB) while BREW, COMB, CINS, SEYB and DIPD were top positive contributors and JKH dipped.
Phantom Investments (Rayynor Silva) bought a 9.75% stake in DFCC Bank (42.2m shares) for Rs.3.58bn at Rs.85/share. The shares were sold by LOLC Investment Holdings; Rayynor, who earlier took ~10% of Sampath Bank, said the DFCC investment is strategic and long term.
Colombo market fell with the ASPI down 1% and S&P SL20 down 1.5% on Rs.7.04bn turnover and a net foreign outflow of Rs.211.6m. Banks led turnover (65%) with DFCC and CDB among gainers while JKH, Commercial Bank, Sampath and Browns were top negative contributors.
Colombo Stock Exchange rose as the ASPI gained 0.56% (72.17 pts) to 13,054, led by bank activity which accounted for Rs736mn of turnover. Investors cited profit-taking after bank gains linked to ISB debt-restructure reports and Fitch noted banks' profiles would improve after a successful sovereign restructure.
National Cancer Institute of Sri Lanka launched www.helpapeksha.com to accept international donations, securely linked to Sampath Bank’s payment gateway. MillenniumIT ESP developed and will maintain the site for three years as a CSR project, and the platform lists donors and project needs.
Colombo Stock Exchange closed down: ASPI fell 1.00% to 12,982 and S&P SL20 fell 1.49% to 3,860, with turnover Rs7bn led by banks and a net foreign outflow of Rs211mn. Top negative contributors included John Keells, Commercial Bank, Sampath and Browns, while DFCC and CDB were top turnover generators.
Sampath Bank MD Ayodhya Iddawela Perera won the Gold Award at the 14th Top50 Professional & Career Women Global Awards 2024 in Kuala Lumpur. The accolade recognises her leadership in Sri Lanka's banking sector and highlights Sampath Bank's industry standing.
The Colombo stock market edged up as the ASPI rose 8 points (0.06%) and the S&P SL20 gained 5 points (0.13%) on turnover of Rs.2.7 billion. John Keells, Commercial Bank, Lion Brewery, R.I.L. Property and food & beverage counters were among top contributors while foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.366 million.
Sampath Bank PLC Managing Director Ayodhya Iddawela Perera won the Career Leadership in Finance and Banking award at the Top50 Professional and Career Women Global Awards 2024 in Kuala Lumpur. The event featured 298 nominations from 29 countries and included 12 Sri Lankan winners among global honorees.
Colombo Stock Exchange closed up: ASPI +0.06% to 13,113 and S&P SL20 +0.13% to 3,919 on turnover Rs2.7bn. Top contributors included John Keells, Commercial Bank, Lion Brewery and Access Engineering; banking stocks were mixed and there was a net foreign outflow of Rs366mn.
Colombo market slipped on profit-taking: ASPI fell 0.95% (126 pts) and S&P SL20 fell 1.6% on turnover of Rs.6bn. John Keells, Hatton National and Sampath were major decliners while SERV and MARA saw investor interest; foreigners were net sellers of Rs.772.5m.
Colombo Stock Exchange fell as the ASPI closed down 0.95% (125.63 pts) at 13,105 and the S&P SL20 down 1.66% to 3,914 amid profit-taking; turnover was Rs6 billion led by capital goods. Top negative contributors included KHL.N0000, HNB.N0000, SAMP.N0000, COMB.N0000 and NDB.N0000.
A seminar on 27 Nov will outline Central Bank-issued corporate governance directives for licensed banks, which take effect 1 Jan 2025 and include requirements such as a minimum of 12 board meetings per year and vacancy for directors missing more than three meetings.
Colombo market showed a muted response to the NPP landslide, with the ASPI up 0.2% and the S&P SL20 up 0.08% on turnover of Rs.5.5bn; the banking sector led turnover while foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.761.2m.
Sampath Bank reported PAT of Rs 17.8 Bn for the nine months to 30 Sep 2024, up 44% YoY, and PBT of Rs 29.9 Bn (up 36%), despite a Rs 3.6 Bn exchange loss from LKR appreciation. NII rose 14.1%, total impairments fell ~63%, and Tier 1/total CAR were 16.72%/19.54%.
Colombo Stock Exchange rose, with the ASPI up 0.24% to 13,231 on Nov 18 and turnover of Rs5.5bn led by banks (Rs1.8bn) and capital goods (Rs1.1bn). Distilleries Company announced a first interim dividend of Rs1 and its share closed at Rs32.90.
Sampath Bank PLC reported PAT of Rs. 17.8 billion for the nine months to 30 Sep 2024, up 44% YoY (PBT Rs. 29.9 billion, +36%) despite a Rs. 3.6 billion exchange loss from LKR appreciation. NII rose 14.1%, impairment charges fell ~63%, deposits and capital ratios remained strong.
Colombo stock market ended the shortened General Election week higher, with ASPI up 3.1% and the S&P SL20 up 3.8% and average weekly turnover of Rs.4.37 billion. Banking counters (Sampath, Commercial Bank, DFCC, Nations Trust, Pan Asia) led gains and turnover, while Browns Investments and several hotels and finance stocks saw notable investor interest.
Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher on Nov 14: ASPI +0.56% to 13,198 and S&P SL20 +1.23% to 3,986, with turnover Rs3.7bn. Most activity was in banking stocks (Rs1.6bn); top contributors were Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank, DFCC Bank, Nations Trust Bank and Browns Investments.
Colombo market extended its pre-election rally as the ASPI gained 136 pts to 13,125 and the S&P SL20 neared 4,000 on turnover of Rs.7bn. Banking stocks led the advance (Sampath, DFCC, NDB, NTB, JKH, LOLC, MELS, CTHR among contributors) and several firms (ASIY, GRAN, TAFL, GLAS) announced interim dividends.
Sampath Bank led a coral restoration project at Marble Beach, Trincomalee, placing 20 concrete reef balls and transplanting live corals under its 'A Breath to the Ocean' CSR initiative. The two-day effort is the bank's fourth such project since 2022, aiming to boost marine biodiversity and eco-tourism.