News & market updates

Colombo stocks closed in red, with the ASPI down 0.39% (92.40 pts) to 23,690.62 and the S&P SL20 down 0.71% to 6,681.12 on turnover of nearly Rs.3.7bn. Price losses in John Keells, Melstacorp and Nations Trust Bank were key negatives while ACL Cables, Access Engineering and Dialog were top turnover names.

Colombo bourse dipped as the ASPI fell 0.21% to 23,870.07 despite net foreign inflows of Rs.37 million after 22 days of outflows. Capital goods led turnover; John Keells and Hayleys rose while Sampath, Colombo Dockyard, Dialog, DFCC and Commercial Bank were among the negative contributors.

Brown & Company PLC's Browns EV unveiled the BAW M8, marked 1,500 EV deliveries and announced an exclusive charging partnership with Qingdao TELD to deploy chargers nationwide. The M8 is priced at Rs.21 million and is claimed to have a range exceeding 1,050 km.

Colombo bourse hit a new year high as the ASPI rose 142.74 pts (0.60%) to 23,956.51, about 43.49 pts shy of 24,000. Top contributors were LOLC, DOCK, COMB, BIL and MELS, with turnover ~Rs 10.5bn and net foreign selling of Rs 82.1m.

ASPI touched 24,000 intraday for the first time, closing at 23,956.51, up 142.74 points. Turnover rose to Rs.10.50 billion led by heavy trading in Colombo Dockyard (Rs.2.12bn) and LOLC Holdings (Rs.1.24bn), with gains led by LOLC, Colombo Dockyard, Commercial Bank, Browns Investments and Melstacorp.

Colombo market rose as the ASPI gained 0.66% (150.67 pts) to 23,014.75, with market value up Rs.58.89 billion and turnover ~Rs.5.8 billion. Top contributors included Commercial Bank, ACL Cables, Dipped Products, Carson Cumberbatch, LOLC and Sampath, and foreigners were net buyers (~Rs.87.8m).

Port City Colombo has commissioned public utility connections to Colombo’s main grid and attracted over $1bn in land development investments as it moves into full commercial operations. Browns Investments PLC (part of the LOLC group) has broken ground on a $120m Luxury Marina with berthing for 200 vessels.

Aggregate profits of 273 listed companies fell 12% YoY to Rs.176.5 billion in Sep-25, ending a seven-quarter growth streak. Banks (Rs.52bn, +39% YoY) and diversified financials (Rs.39bn, +112% YoY) underpinned a QoQ rebound, while food, beverage & tobacco and capital goods posted steep declines.

Port City Colombo marks 11 years as CHEC reiterates progress, announcing commissioning of public utility connections to Colombo’s grid and citing over USD 1bn in land development investments, including a USD 120m marina by Browns Investments (LOLC group).

Browns Investments PLC (via subsidiary Browns Ari Resort Ltd.) completed the sale of the Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives to ASB Hotel Properties Maldives Ltd for $57.5m (Rs. 17.2bn). The company said the transaction was completed after satisfaction of the conditions precedent.

Browns Investments PLC said its subsidiary Browns Ari Resort sold the Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives Resort to ASB Hotel Properties Maldives for USD 57,500,000.

Colombo Bourse closed lower with the ASPI down 0.17% (37.12 pts) to 22,292.57 on subdued activity and profit-taking, with turnover over Rs.2.3bn. Top negative contributors included DOCK, SFCL, RICH, MELS and BREW, while Tokyo Cement and Hemas saw notable investor participation.

Colombo market closed flat as the ASPI slipped 0.02% to 22,329.69 with turnover of Rs. 3.32 billion; top negatives were Commercial Bank, DFCC, Richard Pieris, Bukit Darah and John Keells while Carson Cumberbatch, Browns Investments and LOLC Finance provided support.

Colombo market recovered as the ASPI rose 0.17% (38.48 pts) to 22,333.25 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.31% to 6,071.12. Turnover was Rs 2.85bn on ~77.2m shares with foreign net outflows of Rs 42.8m; top contributors included DOCK, COMB, SAMP, MELS and DFCC.

Aitken Spence PLC's Conventions & Exhibitions unit inaugurated the 40th Colombo Shopping Festival at BMICH, running 12–21 Dec 2025. Commercial Bank is the official banking partner while Browns EV and Nestlé are among other partners; over 250 local entrepreneurs are participating and ticket sales will aid disaster-affected families.

Sierra Cables (SIRA.N0000) reported 1H revenue up 80% to Rs. 7.51bn and net profit up 130% to Rs. 1.37bn. The company affirmed an A+ national rating, is expanding exports (notably to the US), increasing capacity and targeting renewable-energy and construction-grade product lines.

CSE closed two hours early due to cyclone Ditwah; the ASPI rose 0.35% to 22,742.46 on turnover of over Rs.1.9bn, with foreign investors net selling Rs.326.3m (month-to-date outflow Rs.3.7bn). Top contributors were BUKI, AEL, BIL, LOLC and DOCK.

Colombo market ended a three-day decline as ASPI rose 0.77% (174.03 pts) to 22,819.91 and S&P SL20 gained 0.30% to 6,298.75. Market turnover exceeded Rs.4bn with banking counters (led by Hatton National Bank and DFCC) dominating activity while foreign investors were net sellers of ~Rs.213.2m.

Colombo Stock Exchange rebounded 0.77% as the ASPI rose 175.03 points to 22,819.91 and the S&P SL20 climbed 0.30%; investor interest was strong in food, beverage and tobacco names. Top contributors included Ceylinco Holdings, NDB, Melstacorp, Browns Investments and Sunshine Holdings, while turnover fell to 4.06 billion rupees.

Colombo bourse closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.15% to 22,804.84 amid foreign net selling of Rs.893 million and turnover of about Rs.5.6bn; the S&P SL20 rose 0.18%. Capital goods and materials led activity with notable stock moves including Aitken Spence (-Rs.1), Hayleys (-Rs.0.75) and John Keells (+Rs.0.40).

ASPI closed 0.17% lower at 22,812.52 (‑38.43 pts) as profit-taking pushed the market into the red; turnover was Rs.6.2bn and foreigners were net buyers of Rs.25.8m. Capital Goods led activity while HARI, SAMP, MELS and SFCL were key negative contributors and DOCK and RCL saw notable moves.

HNB PLC has partnered with Browns EV to provide flexible leasing solutions for Browns electric vehicles, in an agreement formalised on 28 July 2025. The bank will offer tailored leasing options including competitive rates, insurance facilitation and doorstep documentation to support EV adoption.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held a special discussion with plantation company representatives on the proposed increase to estate workers' daily wages to align with recent public/private sector salary hikes and discussed implementation; the government pledged support for developing the plantation sector.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake urged plantation companies to raise estate workers' daily wages and said the government will support the industry to implement the increase. Representatives from major planters, including Kahawatte, Malwatte, Kelani Valley, Balangoda, Browns, Kegalle and Kotagala, took part.

LOLC Holdings has been named Title Partner of the Ceylon Motor Show 2025, running 24–26 Oct at BMICH. The event, returning after six years, expects ~30,000 visitors and will showcase vehicles (including EVs), new market debuts and vintage car displays.

Colombo market rally extended to a 14th session as the ASPI closed at 22,094.89, topping 22,000 for the first time with turnover around Rs.9.7–9.8 billion. Banking and diversified financials led turnover (Commercial Bank, Pan Asia, Lanka Credit & Business Finance among top contributors) while foreigners were net sellers.

Hayleys tops the LMD 100 rankings for FY2024/25 with consolidated revenue exceeding Rs. 492 billion. LOLC Holdings and Carson Cumberbatch are second and third (nearly Rs. 340bn and over Rs. 323bn), while Commercial Bank leads profitability with PAT over Rs. 55bn; Browns and HNB follow.

Colombo Stock Exchange extended its rally into an 11th session as the ASPI rose 0.47% (102.30 pts) to 21,778.60 with turnover of Rs. 6.27 billion and foreign net outflows of Rs. 362.2 million. Top contributors included DIMO, BUKI, CCS, MELS, WATA and SUN, with gains also in CHOT and PKME.

The ASPI closed at 21,599, rising 0.36% (78 points) on the day and finishing the week up 2.4% (S&P SL20 up 1.9% for the week). Turnover was Rs.6.02bn yesterday (week avg daily Rs.7.11bn); capital goods led turnover and top contributors included Hemas, Melstacorp, Commercial Bank, CIC, Gran, Sunshine, Kelani Cables and John Keells.