News & market updates

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.44% (86.80 pts) to 19,804.80 as buying returned after a two-day slide. Buying interest supported John Keells (flat), CIC (up to 142.50), Singer (up to 67.90) and gains in Melstacorp, Carson Cumberbatch, Co-operative Insurance and PGP Glass; turnover rose to 4.4 billion rupees.

Fitch Ratings affirmed Fintrex Finance PLC’s National Long-Term Rating at 'BB(lka)' with a Stable outlook and kept its subordinated debentures at 'B+(lka)'. Fitch cited expansion into riskier mobile financing and gold lending, higher leverage, modest market share (1.2% of sector loans in FY25) and acceptable asset quality (stage 3 loans 8.6% in FY25).

Fitch affirmed Mercantile Investments and Finance PLC's National Long-Term Rating at 'BBB-(lka)' with a Stable outlook, citing moderate but rising market share and improving asset quality. Fitch flagged rapid expansion of gold-backed loans (to 12% of loans) and 42% loan growth in FY25, offset by weaker core capital and higher costs.

Colombo's ASPI fell 0.64% to 19,786.23 after earlier crossing the 20,000 mark, with turnover sliding to LKR 4.5bn. Banking counters saw buying while large caps including ACL Cables, Melstacorp, Hayleys and Central Finance weighed on the index.

The U.S. imposed tariffs ranging from 10%–41% on imports from dozens of countries, pressuring Asian shares and lifting inflation expectations; Fed funds futures now price about a 39% chance of a September rate cut, while oil and gold moved modestly.

Union Bank of Colombo (UBC.N0000) reported PAT of Rs. 251m for 1H 2025, up 247% y/y, and PBT of Rs. 834m (up 58%); net loans topped Rs.100bn, customer deposits were Rs.108bn and Total CAR was 13.65%.

Union Bank of Colombo PLC reported Profit Before Tax of LKR 834 million and PAT of LKR 251 million for 1H 2025, with PAT up 247% year-on-year. Net loans exceeded LKR 100 billion (24% YTD growth), customer deposits reached LKR 108 billion and Total CAR stood at 13.65%.

Colombo ASPI rose 0.07% to 19,532.20 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.38% to 5,752.46, turnover rose to Rs 7.5 billion; ACL Cables, Melstacorp, Hayleys, Central Finance and Cargills were notable gainers.

DFCC Bank has extended operating hours for its Gold Loan service in Trincomalee, Manipai and Akkaraipattu and offers up to Rs. 200,000 advance for a 24-karat gold sovereign. Branches now provide weekday evening hours and Saturday pawning to improve accessibility for local customers.

Colombo's ASPI rose 0.26% (50.15 pts) to 19,517.86, led by gains in capital goods stocks including Royal Ceramics (RCL.N0000), Melstacorp (MELS.N0000), Hemas (HHL.N0000), L B Finance (LFIN.N0000) and C T Holdings (CTHR.N0000). Turnover increased to 6.1 billion rupees.

DFCC Bank extended operating hours for its Gold Loan services in Trincomalee, Manipai and Akkaraipattu and offers market-leading advances up to Rs.200,000 for a 24-karat gold sovereign. Weekday evening service (until 6:00 PM) is available at Akkaraipattu and Saturday pawning (9:00 AM–5:00 PM) in Manipai and Trincomalee.

Foreign investors sold 405 million rupees of Sri Lankan government securities in the week to July 24, the first weekly net outflow in three weeks. The market has still seen a net inflow of 28.6 billion rupees into rupee bonds since December 26.

Colombo's ASPI rose 0.25% to 19,091.93, led by gains in DFCC, NDB, Access Engineering and HNB; turnover was about 5.9 billion rupees and spot gold was trading near $3,400. Sri Lanka is set for another round of US tariff talks ahead of an Aug 1 deadline.

Foreign investors bought $8.57 million of Sri Lanka government securities in the week ended July 17, the second straight weekly inflow and taking two-week inflows to $14.22 million. The country has seen 29 billion rupees of rupee bond inflows since Dec 26 amid deflationary policies and volatile global risk sentiment.

Colombo ASPI rose 0.51% to 18,973 after US-Sri Lanka tariff talks were reported to resume, with Central Finance, Hayleys, John Keells and Sampath Bank leading gains. The Finance Ministry said discussions aim to reduce a 30% tariff rate and seek duty-free access for over 800 items to the US.

Sri Lanka stocks closed marginally down with the ASPI slipping 0.04% to 18,876.85 and the S&P SL20 falling 0.69% to 5,628.93. Turnover dipped to 6.8 billion rupees amid early profit-taking, with Commercial Bank, Melstacorp, Sampath Bank and NDB weighing on the market and high volumes in Industrial Asphalts, Jetwing Symphony and Beruwala Resorts.

Colombo ASPI fell 0.32% to 18,884 on profit-taking while turnover rose to 17 billion rupees, boosted by a crossing in Hatton National Bank non-voting shares. HNB shares declined (non-voting to 286.50), and John Keells, Hayleys, Central Finance, Melstacorp and Royal Ceramics also traded lower.

LOLC Finance (LOFC.N0000) launched a Ran Savi Gold Loan quick top-up feature on the iPay app, enabling customers to top up gold loans, pay interest and check balances fully digitally.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.57% to a record 18,946, with the S&P SL20 up 1.28% to 5,700.54. Gains were led by diversified, financial and consumer shares amid lower interest-rate expectations and ongoing talks to reduce US tariffs on Sri Lankan exports.

Gold inched higher ahead of U.S. inflation data, with spot gold up 0.1% at $3,346.94 per ounce. Traders are focused on June CPI (expected headline 2.7%) as markets price in rate cuts by year-end, while higher Treasury yields and a stronger USD remain headwinds.

Siyapatha Finance PLC opened its 54th branch in Kaduwela, expanding its islandwide network and offering leasing, deposits, gold financing, loans, Smart Pay and bill payment services.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose to 18,838, up 1.60% (297.13 pts), led by gains in John Keells, Sampath Bank, HNB, Melstacorp and Commercial Bank despite a US 30% tariff announcement. Turnover rose to 9.49 billion rupees and exporters were mixed, with Teejay down and Haycarb higher.

Sampath Bank's wholly owned subsidiary Siyapatha Finance opened its 54th branch in Kaduwela, expanding the group's islandwide retail network. The branch offers lending, deposits, gold financing and digital payment services; Siyapatha holds a Fitch National Long-Term Rating of 'A(lka)'.

Foreign investors bought $5.65m (1,695 million rupees) of Sri Lanka rupee government securities in the week to July 9, the first net foreign buying in four weeks. Net inflows into rupee bonds totalled 26.4 billion rupees since Dec 26, after earlier outflows following U.S. tariff actions.

Colombo ASPI rose 2.09% to a record 18,541.26 after US tariffs on Sri Lanka were cut to 30% (down 14%), boosting investor confidence and lifting several banks and exporters; Sampath, HNB, John Keells, Commercial Bank, DFCC, Teejay and Hayleys gained while Haycarb fell.

Colombo All Share Price Index rose 0.72% to 18,161.49 as markets recovered while awaiting US tariff letters; gains were led by John Keells, HNB, Central Finance and Melstacorp. Turnover fell to 5.9 billion rupees.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 0.58% to 18,042.20 on Monday as US tariff uncertainty damped investor interest, with Melstacorp, HNB, Commercial Bank, Aitken Spence and NDB posting declines and turnover falling to Rs2.4bn. Colombo Dockyard announced a rights issue of 323m shares at Rs40.

Foreign investors sold $3.8m (1,143 million rupees) net of Sri Lanka government securities in the week ended July 3, the third consecutive week of offshore selling. Net inflows since Dec 26 still total 24.7 billion rupees, while the rupee has edged lower amid global risk aversion.

Colombo's ASPI rose 0.26% (47.42 pts) to 18,148.34 as US tariff threats loomed, with buying lifting banks and conglomerates; John Keells, Commercial Bank, HNB, Melstacorp and Sunshine closed higher.

Abans Finance PLC reported FY2024/25 profit before tax of Rs. 951 million, a 344% increase year‑on‑year, and profit after tax of Rs. 426 million (up 309%). Total assets rose 22% to Rs. 13.48 billion and customer deposits increased to Rs. 8.45 billion.