News & market updates

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 0.31% to 15,818.77 ahead of local elections, led by selling in banking counters such as Hatton National Bank and Sampath Bank; export-linked stocks including Hayleys, Teejay Lanka, Haycarb and Dipped Products also slipped.

Sri Lanka's apparel sector is adopting Science-Based Targets, with Hayleys Fabric committing to deep cuts (42% reduction in Scope 1–2 and 25% in Scope 3 by 2030, net-zero plans to 2050) and Teejay Lanka eliminating coal by March 2026. Companies are also expanding renewables and supplier engagement to meet SBTi goals.

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.

Colombo stocks fell with the ASPI down 0.28% at 15,555.86 as uncertainty over US tariffs and Fed interest-rate commentary hit exporters and banks; key decliners included John Keells, Hayleys, Teejay, Haycarb and major banks, with a net foreign outflow of Rs 64m.

Colombo bourse opened marginally negative as the ASPI fell 17 points (0.11%) to 15,600 on low turnover of Rs.1.16bn. Banking stocks led turnover (24% share) while HAYL, LION, JKH, DIPD and TJL were top negative contributors and Sampath and Lanka IOC drew buying interest.

Sri Lanka export stocks fell after China warned it would take countermeasures, with the ASPI down 0.11% to 15,599.61. Export-linked names including Teejay Lanka, Dipped Products, Hayleys Fabric, John Keells and Lion Brewery led declines amid weak market sentiment.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.67% (104.32 pts) to 15,630.52 as apparel and export stocks fell while financial stocks gained. Teejay Lanka and Hayleys Fibre slid, while Central Finance, NDB and LOLC Finance were among gainers; several finance names saw high volumes.

A 90-day US tariff pause lifted the Colombo market: ASPI +4.74% and S&P SL20 +6.7%, boosting market capitalisation by about Rs.221bn to Rs.5.549tn on Rs.7bn turnover, led by heavy trading in Sampath Bank, John Keells, Commercial Bank and RIL Property.

Teejay Lanka, Dilmah Ceylon Tea, Kelani Valley Plantations and Talawakelle Tea Estates were appointed Patrons of UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka Working Groups from 2025, with MoUs signed on 20 March 2025; roles cover sustainable supply chains, water stewardship and climate action.

Colombo stocks fell after the US 'Liberation day' tariff announcement, with the ASPI down 1.82% (284.25 pts) to 15,373.35 and the S&P SL20 down 2.19% to 4,541.71. Banks and export-linked stocks led losses, with top negative contributors including Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank, John Keells, HNB and LOLC and turnover sliding to 3.17 billion rupees.

Sri Lanka stocks plunged for a second day as the ASPI fell 362.66 pts (2.32%) to 15,294.94 and the S&P SL20 fell 125.95 pts (2.71%) to 4,517.37 after a US executive order imposing a 44% tax on Sri Lanka. Major banks and exporters including Commercial Bank, Sampath, HNB, LOLC, John Keells, Teejay Lanka, Hela Apparel, Haycarb and Dipped Products dropped roughly 0.2–5.6%.

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%).

CAL Group research said four listed exporters — Hayleys Fabric (MGT), Teejay Lanka (TJL), Dipped Products (DIPD) and Haycarb (HAYC) — are likely affected by US reciprocal tariffs on Sri Lanka (44%); Hayleys Fabric is seen as most exposed and its shares fell 12.9%.

US announced a 44% reciprocal tariff on Sri Lanka, triggering a slump in export stocks: Hela Apparel -8.11% (LKR 3.40), Teejay Lanka -9.06% (LKR 46.20), Haycarb -5.31% (LKR 78.50), Dipped Products -7.53% (LKR 52.80).

The Colombo market closed marginally up with the ASPI +0.2% and S&P SL20 +0.4% as turnover rose to Rs.2.14bn, led by Lankem Ceylon (LCEY) which accounted for about Rs.1.1bn. Capital goods and banking drove activity, with notable movers including HNB, SAMP, COMB, JKH and LIOC.

Colombo market closed lower as the ASPI fell 60 points to 15,848 despite net foreign inflows of Rs.133.8m and turnover of Rs.1.6bn (down 23.4% vs monthly average). Banking-led turnover (HNBN top at Rs.297m) saw HNB, CINS, JKH, DFCC and CFIN drag the market while CCS and Richard Pieris attracted buying.

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.

Sri Lanka stocks closed marginally up as the ASPI rose 0.21% to 15,912.61 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.16% to 4,759.06; turnover was 1.9 billion rupees and net foreign outflow was 140 million rupees.

Dividend · Rs 0.75 · XD Feb 28, 2025

First Interim dividend of LKR 0.75/share; XD 2025-02-28; record 2025-03-02; payable 2025-03-20; FY 31st March 2025

Colombo Stock Exchange rose after the Budget, with the ASPI up 1.3% and net foreign inflows of Rs. 777.4 million. Banking, insurance and diversified financials led the session, with Ceylinco, Melstacorp, NDB and Sampath among the top contributors.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher, with the ASPI up 0.22% at 17,193.79 and the S&P SL20 up 0.63% at 5,139.63. Investor interest centred on banks and capital goods (notably Sampath, Commercial Bank and Hemas); Melstacorp, Distilleries, Sampath and Teejay Lanka declared cash dividends and Hemas plans a share sub-division.

Colombo's ASPI rebounded, rising over 50 points (0.3%) after a prior Rs.188 billion drop, with bargain buying lifting the market and the banking sector leading turnover. Sampath, DFCC, Seylan, C T Holdings and John Keells were top positive contributors while Ceylinco and Aitken Spence weighed on the index.

Colombo market lost Rs.188 billion as the ASPI plunged ~500 points (3%) and the S&P SL20 fell 3.3%, taking market cap below Rs.6 trillion with turnover of Rs.6.35bn. Banking stocks were the main drag (Commercial Bank, Melstacorp, Sampath Bank, NDB); Ceylinco, Teejay, Browns and JKH featured in top turnover.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 2.95% (500.39 pts) to 16,456.10 on Feb 5 as profit-taking triggered broad selling. Top losers included HNB, Commercial Bank, NDB, Sampath, Teejay Lanka and Singer, while Ceylinco Holdings and Lion Brewery gained; turnover was Rs 6.3bn with a net foreign outflow of Rs 343m.

Colombo market opened February lower as the ASPI and S&P SL20 fell about 1%. Turnover was Rs.3 billion with foreigners net sellers of Rs.179.3m; key decliners included HNB, LOLC, BUKI, CARS and CFIN, while SPEN, TJL and CCS were notable gainers.

Teejay Lanka (TJL.N0000) reported YTD profit after tax of Rs. 1.9 billion for Q3 FY2024/25, a 234% YoY increase, with group revenue of Rs. 49.8 billion (up 10%) and gross profit of Rs. 5.4 billion (+57%). The group cited volume recovery, productivity and cost reductions, expanded synthetic lines and ended the quarter with Rs. 8.4 billion cash.

Sri Lanka stocks fell 0.97% as the ASPI closed down 166.24 points at 16,956 and turnover was Rs3bn, the lowest so far this year. John Keells, Browns Investments and Tea Smallholder Factories announced interim dividends and net foreign outflow was Rs179mn with foreign selling in several large stocks.

Colombo's ASPI rose 7.4% in January, with yesterday's turnover at Rs.5.1bn and foreign net selling of Rs.405.6m. Price gains in counters including Central Finance, Colombo Fort Land & Building, Ambeon Holdings, Teejay Lanka and Ambeon Capital and activity in Access Engineering and John Keells supported the market recovery.

Teejay Lanka reported December-quarter group revenues rose 8% to 17.1 billion rupees and quarterly profit increased 105% to 978.2 million rupees (EPS 1.36). Management cited higher orders from a shift away from China and Bangladesh, stable cotton prices, rupee appreciation and market-priced energy reducing costs.

Teejay Lanka (TJL.N0000) reported YTD profit after tax of LKR 1.9 billion for Q3 FY2024/25, up 234% YoY, with group revenue of LKR 49.8 billion (up 10%); gross profit rose to LKR 5.4 billion and cash stood at LKR 8.4 billion.