News & market updates

Abans Finance PLC reported operating profit before tax of LKR 951 million for FY25, a 344% increase from LKR 214 million. Total income rose 21% to LKR 3.46 billion, total assets grew 22% to LKR 13.48 billion, deposits increased to LKR 8.45 billion and PAT was LKR 426 million.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI fell 0.17% to 17,996.73 as profit-taking trimmed gains after a record high. HNB, NDB, C T Holdings and Carson Cumberbatch were among the decliners, while consumer shares saw buying interest and turnover rose to 7.6 billion rupees.

People's Bank celebrates its 64th anniversary, reporting consolidated assets exceeding Rs. 3 trillion and serving 15.2 million customers. The bank highlights digital transformation — 3.6 million digital customers, over 80% of transactions digital, 751 branches and 300+ self-banking units.

Foreign investors sold $9.5 million (2,830 million rupees) of Sri Lanka government securities in the week to June 28, the second straight week of offshore selling after four weeks of inflows. Total net inflows since Dec 26 through June 28 remain 25.8 billion rupees, while the rupee has eased slightly amid outflows and safe-haven flows into gold.

Sri Lanka's ASPI hit a fresh record high, closing at 17,800 (up 0.75% / 132.28 points) on Friday, driven by gains in capital goods and banking stocks. Notable risers included C T Holdings, John Keells, Sampath Bank, HNB, CDB and Colombo Dockyard.

Fintrex Finance PLC reported FY2024/25 total assets up 44% to Rs.21.7bn and net profit up 67% to Rs.184m, with loans rising 46% to Rs.19.25bn and deposits up 55% to Rs.9.74bn. Fitch upgraded its rating to BB and the company raised Rs.1bn via a Tier II bond while advancing digital services including a mobile app.

HNB Finance (HNBF) reported Profit Before Tax of Rs. 2.2 billion for FY24/25, a 112% increase year‑on‑year. The company also posted a 27% rise in lending to Rs. 50.3 billion, strong growth in gold loans (65%) and leasing (64%), an oversubscribed rights issue and a Fitch upgrade to A(lka) (Stable).

HNB Finance reported Profit Before Tax of Rs. 2.2 billion for FY24/25, up 112% year-on-year. PAT was Rs. 765m; total assets rose to Rs. 58.5bn (+9%); lending +27% (gold +65%, leasing +64%); rights issue oversubscribed and Fitch upgraded to A(lka) Stable.

Sri Lanka stocks rose for a second session as a ceasefire held, with the ASPI up 2% to 17,535 and the S&P SL20 up 1.66% to 5,219. The index gain was led by John Keells, Browns Investments, SMB Finance, Industrial Asphalts and Co-operative Insurance, while turnover rose to Rs 5.9bn.

Colombo Stock Exchange jumped 2.54% after President Trump announced an Iran-Israel ceasefire, with the ASPI up 425.80 points to 17,191.20 and the S&P SL20 up 2.86% to 5,133. The rise was led by gains in Commercial Bank, John Keells, Melstacorp, Hayleys and LOLC, with turnover at 5.2 billion.

Asia Asset Finance PLC (AAF) reported FY2024/25 growth: total assets rose 43.58% to Rs.37.11bn, loan portfolio up 53% to Rs.29.15bn and net profit reached Rs.441m (up 28.17%) with EPS of Rs.3.55. The firm cited strong operational profit, a CAR of 27.47%, 100 branches and plans for 20 more despite higher taxes.

Foreign investors net-sold 165 million rupees of Sri Lanka government securities in the week to June 19, the first weekly net outflow in five weeks; total foreign inflows into rupee bonds since Dec 26 stand at 28.65 billion rupees.

Global stocks rose and oil fell after President Trump said a ceasefire was implemented between Israel and Iran, easing geopolitical risk. Brent crude slid about 4–5% toward $68 a barrel while S&P 500 futures rose roughly 0.8%.

Global shares rallied and oil plunged after U.S. President Trump said Iran and Israel had agreed a ceasefire, sending U.S. crude down 3.4% to $66.15/bbl. The dollar weakened, 10-year U.S. yields moved slightly and market attention shifted toward trade/tariff risks and Fed timing.

Sri Lanka stocks fell 1.89% as Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, with the ASPI down 322.55 points to 16,765 and the S&P SL20 down 2.02% to 4,991. Banks and major conglomerates — Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank, John Keells, Melstacorp and Hayleys — weighed on the index amid fears of higher crude prices.

Major Asian share indexes slipped and oil briefly hit five-month highs on fears of Iranian retaliation after U.S. strikes on nuclear sites; Brent traded around $78.07/bbl and U.S. crude at $74.88/bbl. The dollar strengthened and there was little rush into Treasuries as Fed-cut odds remained slim.

Sri Lanka stocks recovered, ASPI rose 1.60% (269.74 pts) to 17,087.95, led by gains in Ceylinco Holdings, Sampath Bank, Hayleys, Hatton National Bank and Commercial Bank. Turnover was 2.5 billion rupees with 98,864,903 shares traded as regional volatility, gold moves and US rate outlook influenced markets.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon opened its first exclusive 'Anagi Women’s Banking Centre' at its Jaffna branch to serve female customers, staffed by women and offering amenities including a lactation room, children’s play area, dedicated pawning and counselling units.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon opened its first dedicated 'Anagi Women’s Banking Centre' at its Jaffna branch, offering women-focused services including a lactation room, children’s play area, dedicated pawning unit, counselling, cafeteria and full banking services. The centre is staffed by a dedicated female team and expands the bank's Anagi portfolio of women-targeted products.

Colombo Stock Exchange slid 1.22% as Israel‑Iran tensions intensified, with the ASPI down 210.51 pts to 17,071.44; Hayleys, C T Holdings, Sampath Bank, DFCC Bank and HNB posted notable declines. Turnover fell to 3.8 billion rupees from 6.8 billion rupees.

CRIB held its Annual CEOs Forum and Institutional Awards 2025 with the Central Bank Governor and over 120 CEOs, and said it more than doubled its database in the last 6–8 months. It launched two analytics products and announced new credit scores, a mobile app and a secure transaction registry to expand digital credit inclusion.

Colombo's ASPI fell 0.38% (66.89 pts) to 17,360.19 amid continued Israel-Iran conflict, with S&P SL20 down 0.59% as turnover and volumes slipped and HNB, Commercial Bank, LOLC, Hayleys and Ceylon Tobacco were among the top decliners.

The Credit Rating Information Bureau (CRIB) unveiled a digital roadmap including a dynamic SME credit score, a Portfolio Management tool, ‘Credit Stat’ and a Secure Transaction Registry due in July to let SMEs use movable assets as collateral; CRIB also doubled its database recently.

Iran vowed a 'powerful response' after Israel launched large-scale air strikes on multiple nuclear and military sites—killing senior commanders and scientists and hitting over 100 targets—raising fears of a wider regional war.

Brent crude jumped more than 10% after Israel said it struck Iran, later trading around $74.65 a barrel (about 8% above Thursday's close); gold rose 1.2% to $3,423.30/oz.

Israel's strike on Iran sent oil up about 9% — Brent to $75.36/bbl and WTI to $74.20 — and knocked global stocks lower. Gold rose to roughly $3,434/oz and US 10-year yields fell to 4.31% as investors moved into safe havens.

Oil prices jumped over 7% after Israel said it struck Iran, with Brent up $5.29 (7.63%) to $74.65/b and WTI up $5.38 (7.91%) to $73.42/b, raising worries about disrupted supply. Stocks fell and investors moved to safe havens such as gold and the Swiss franc.

LOLC Finance PLC's Wadi'ah Gold Storage Facility has surpassed a Rs. 3 billion benevolent cash-advance portfolio. The facility offers up to 90% cash advances against stored gold and the company plans technology-driven cash-advance and settlement enhancements.

The Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI closed marginally up at 17,661.45 (+0.02%) while the S&P SL20 fell to 5,275.01 (-0.21%) and turnover dropped to 3.6 billion rupees. Movers included L B Finance, Sampath Bank and Central Finance rising; LOLC Finance announced a share buyback and Vidullanka listed a 500 million-rupee Sukuk.

Union Bank launched a mobile 'Ranvisadum' pawning campaign with a Propaganda Vehicle and promotions allowing customers to redeem gold free up to LKR 100,000 monthly and receive a free umbrella for transactions of LKR 200,000 and above.