News & market updates

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.

The Colombo market opened April higher, with the ASPI up 119 points (0.76%) on turnover of Rs. 1.9 billion. Banking stocks saw early selling around XD dates while blue-chips and capital goods (e.g. Hayleys, John Keells, Melstacorp) were key contributors.

Sri Lanka stocks rose as the ASPI closed up 0.46% (73.06 pts) at 16,007.44 with turnover Rs 2.29bn; top contributors were Hayleys (+3.0%), Ceylon Tobacco (+1.7%), Royal Ceramics (+2.6%), Chevron Lubricants (+2.9%) and Dialog Axiata (+2.1%). Most active by volume were John Keells, Browns Investments and Access Engineering.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.76% to 15,934.38 as buying interest returned, but turnover remained light at 1.91 billion rupees. Top contributors included Melstacorp, Hayleys, HNB, NDB and LOLC, with banks, capital goods and diversified financials leading turnover.

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.

ANNOUNCEMENT UNDER THE COMPANY TAKE-OVERS AND MERGERS CODE 1995 (AS AMENDED IN 2003) AND GAZETTED IN THE GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY NO. 875/9 DATED 16TH JUNE 1995 AND AMENDED BY GAZETTE NO. 1299/6 DATED 29TH JULY 2003 MANDATORY OFFER BY BROWNS INVESTMENTS PLC (TO PURCHASE 233,248,008 (43.40%) ORDINARY VOTING SHARES OF SIERRA CABLES PLC

Colombo market closed flat (ASPI -4) despite higher turnover of Rs.2.9bn led by Sampath Bank (Rs.1.2bn); banking drove 52% of turnover while capital goods and food/beverage/tobacco made up 26%. Foreign investors were net sellers (Rs.122m) and several large crossings dominated activity.

Sri Lanka stocks closed flat as the ASPI fell 0.03% to 15,908.23 with turnover of Rs2.89bn driven by crossings and heavy bank trades, including a Rs1.1bn off-board Sampath Bank transaction. Notable movers included Ceylinco Insurance (-5.7%), Dipped Products (-3.0%), HNB and DFCC.

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.

Browns Investments (BIL.N0000) acquired a 26.16% stake in Sierra Cables (SIRA.N0000) for Rs.1.7 billion (140.6m shares at Rs.12.30), taking the Browns group’s combined holding to 56.59%. Sierra Cables closed at Rs.16 (up Rs.0.50) while Browns Investments closed at Rs.7.40 (down Rs.0.10).

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 1.38% to 15,879.33 as buying interest returned, led by gains in Commercial Bank, HNB, NDB, DFCC and Carson Cumberbatch; turnover fell to 1.66 billion rupees and there was a net foreign outflow of 140 million rupees.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 1.67% to 15,662.85, led by a banking-sector bounce that also lifted the S&P SL20 up 2.14% to 4,703.54. Turnover jumped to 3.67 billion rupees; top contributors included Commercial Bank, HNB, John Keells, Sampath Bank and DFCC, while Sierra Cables had the largest turnover.

Colombo market closed higher — ASPI +12 points, S&P SL20 +19 with turnover of Rs.1.25bn. Major contributors included Commercial Bank, HNB, Melstacorp, NDB and Sampath while John Keells, Hemas, Browns, LOLC and Ceylon Cold Stores were among laggards; foreigners were net buyers of Rs.14.2m.

The ASPI fell 1.6% (255 points) as selling continued with banking and blue-chip stocks leading declines; turnover was Rs. 1.7bn (below the monthly average) and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs. 50.5m.

Sri Lanka's ASPI closed marginally up 0.18% at 15,421.54 as buying returned after a three-day slide, led by gains in Commercial Bank, HNB, Melstacorp, NDB and Sampath; turnover fell to 1.25 billion rupees and net foreign inflow was 14 million rupees.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 1.63% to 15,394.23 and the S&P SL20 fell 1.60% to 4,588.03. Top decliners included Ceylinco Insurance, HNB, Commercial Bank, DFCC and John Keells; turnover rose to 1.77bn rupees and Hayleys plans to raise up to 7bn via a debenture issue.

The ASPI fell about 211 points (1.35%) as the CSE opened lower on a selling spree with turnover of Rs.1.27 billion. Banking counters led the decline while capital goods and food & beverage drove turnover; major laggards included MELS, NDB and SAMP.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 1.33% to 15,645.30 and the S&P SL20 dropped 1.52% to 4,662.66 as turnover fell to 1.27 billion rupees and volumes declined; top decliners included Melstacorp, NDB, Sampath Bank, DFCC and Aitken Spence.

ASPI rose 0.1% yesterday but is down 3.8% so far in March; turnover fell to Rs. 792.5m, led by Food, Beverage & Tobacco (28%), Banking (20%) and Capital Goods (18%). Agarapatana, Hayleys, Hemas and Sampath were among gainers while Bukit Darah, C T Holdings, Access Engineering and NDB were notable laggards.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.96% to 15,861.14 and the S&P SL20 gained 1.07% as turnover was Rs 2.42bn with a net foreign inflow of Rs 49m. Top contributors included Commercial Bank, HNB, Sampath Bank, Hayleys and John Keells.

Colombo market opened lower as the ASPI fell 0.71% (115 points) and the S&P SL20 dropped 0.69% amid low turnover of Rs. 824.6 million, with banks and blue-chip counters leading the decline.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 0.71% to 16,000.78 on Monday as turnover dropped to 824 million rupees, with bank and capital goods stocks leading the decline — top negative contributors included Chevron Lubricants, Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank and DFCC Bank. Most active volumes were in Browns Investments, R I L Property, Hela Apparel and HNB Finance, with a net foreign inflow of 16 million rupees.

Colombo bourse ended the first week of March lower, with the ASPI down 2.2% and the S&P SL20 down 2.5%; average daily turnover was Rs. 2.73bn and yesterday's turnover Rs. 2.18bn. Primary negatives included LLUB, SAMP, DFCC and COMB, while MELS, HHL and HNB were the top gainers.

ASPI fell 43 pts (0.27%) to 16,123 as turnover dropped to Rs.2.36bn. CTC, MELS, CCS and BIL were notable negatives while HAYL, SEYB, HHL and CARS led gains; John Keells dominated turnover and its share rose 10c.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 0.27% to 16,123.10 as turnover slowed to Rs 2.3 billion. Top decliners included Ceylon Tobacco (down 5.9%), Ceylon Cold Stores (down 2.9%), Melstacorp, HNB and Browns Investments, while John Keells, Browns, Jetwing Symphony and Marawila Resorts were among the most active by volume.