News & market updates

Colombo market closed the week higher as ASPI and S&P SL20 rose about 2% (ASPI 16,937, +358 pts) with turnover Rs.5 billion, led by banks, capital goods and food & beverage stocks ahead of the 2025 Budget.

Sri Lanka's ASPI closed up 2.18% (362.03 pts) at 16,940.25, led by gains in diversified counters and bank stocks; the S&P SL20 rose 1.88% to 5,037.52, turnover was 4.8 billion rupees and net foreign outflow was 513 million rupees.

ASPI rose ~232 points (1.41%) to 16,578 as the Colombo market returned to positive territory with turnover of Rs.3.58bn. Ceylinco, Central Finance, Sampath, LOLC and NDB were top positive contributors while CTC, HNB and SPEN weighed on the index; Ambeon, JKH and Printcare also gained.

Sri Lanka's ASPI closed up 1.42% at 16,578.22, led by banks and finance stocks, with a net foreign outflow of 892 million rupees. Top contributors included Ceylinco (+9.3%), Central Finance (+6.0%), Sampath (+2.1%) and NDB (+2.4%), while Ambeon saw heavy foreign selling.

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.

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.

Sri Lanka's ASPI closed up 0.04% (7.52 pts) at 17,122.73 despite month-end selling, with turnover Rs 5.1bn and a net domestic inflow of Rs 405m (foreign outflow Rs 405m). Banking, diversified counters and capital goods drew interest; notable movers included LOFC +2.9%, CFIN +3.2%, TJL +3.8% and TAP +7.0%.

Colombo bourse sustained upward momentum as the ASPI rose 0.4% and the S&P SL20 gained 0.3% on turnover of Rs.6.35 bn; BIL, RICH, HNB, CFIN and LOLC were top positive contributors while JKH fell. Foreign investors were net sellers with a Rs.300 mn outflow.

John Keells Holdings said public holding fell to 74.93% as of 24 Jan 2025 after issuing 1,079,375,000 new ordinary shares to HWIC Asia Fund; JKH shares closed down 0.87% at Rs22.90. The Colombo bourse closed higher with the ASPI up 0.44% at 17,119, led by gains in Browns Investments, Richard Pieris, HNB and Central Finance.

Fitch upgraded the national long-term ratings of 10 Sri Lankan non-bank financial institutions and affirmed eight after recalibrating the national scale; notable upgrades include Central Finance, L B Finance, HNB Finance, Merchant Bank, Abans Finance and Singer Finance, while UB Finance was affirmed with a negative outlook.

Colombo bourse hit record highs as ASPI rose 197 points (1%) to 17,025, led by banking stocks with Hatton National Bank up to Rs. 360.50 amid share-split rumours. Turnover was Rs. 9.78bn, banking and consumer stocks dominated activity and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs. 565.6m.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 1.17% to 17,025.99 as stocks closed up 1.1%, led by gains in HNB, Central Finance, Hayleys, SFCL and LOLC-group names. Turnover was Rs 9.7bn with a net domestic inflow of Rs 565m, while some banks (Sampath, NDB, DFCC) fell.

ASPI fell 0.15% (24 pts) to 15,855 as profit-taking continued, with turnover Rs.4.56bn and net foreign outflow of Rs.48.3m. Banks and diversified financials led turnover (22% and 38% combined), with HNB, CFIN, HHL, Browns Investments and John Keells among notable movers.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell for a third straight day as the ASPI closed down 0.15% at 15,854.64 amid heavy profit-taking, with turnover of 4.5 billion rupees. Banks HNB, NTB and NDB and other contributors Central Finance, Hemas and Lion Brewery were among the top decliners.

Colombo Stock Exchange ended 2024 higher, with the ASPI up 0.74% at 15,944.61 and the S&P SL20 up 1.01% at 4,862.10. Turnover was Rs7.7bn, banks/diversified financials and capital goods drew the most interest, and there was a net foreign inflow of Rs129mn.

Colombo market notched a 21st consecutive gain as the ASPI rose 1% (148 pts) to 15,168 on turnover of Rs.5.5bn, led by banking-sector activity; top contributors and heavy turnover included Hayleys, Central Finance, C T Holdings, Sampath, Richard Pieris, Commercial Bank, Royal Ceramics and Browns Investments.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI up 0.98% (147.79 pts) to 15,168 and S&P SL20 up 0.82% to 4,535 on turnover of 5.4 billion rupees. Top contributors included Hayleys, Central Finance, C T Holdings and Sampath Bank, with a net foreign outflow of 94 million rupees.

Turnover at the Colombo Stock Exchange climbed to a 10-month high of Rs.9.2 billion as the ASPI recorded a 19th consecutive daily gain. Top contributors included Sierra Cables, Hatton National Bank, Royal Ceramics and Access Engineering, with a net foreign outflow of Rs.227 million.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI rose 1.07% to 14,810 and turnover hit Rs9.23bn, the highest since Feb 7. Top contributors included Central Finance, Ceylon Cold Stores, Melstacorp, Access Engineering and Chevron Lubricants; net foreign outflow was Rs226m.

The ASPI rose 0.67% to 14,614 as the Colombo bourse closed higher with turnover of Rs. 6 billion and a net foreign inflow of Rs. 100.7 million. Banking led turnover (20%) and HNB, DIMO, Vallibel One, Central Finance and CTC were among the top positive contributors.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI rose 0.67% to 14,614.30 on turnover of 6.01 billion, with banking stocks rallying and foreign investors net buyers of LKR 100.7 million; top contributors included HNB, DIMO, CFIN and CTC.

Colombo stock market extended its bull run as the ASPI rose about 4% for the week (closing at 14,205) on high turnover (avg Rs.5.66bn), led by heavy trading and price gains in Hemas, HNB, Lanka Milk Foods, John Keells and Alumex.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI rose 1.21% to 14,205 and the S&P SL20 gained 1.39% to 4,244. Top contributors included Ceylinco Holdings, Melstacorp, HNB, Central Finance and Sampath; turnover was 6.1 billion with a foreign net inflow of 126 million rupees.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.77% (105.38 pts) to 13,718 as turnover reached Rs4.4bn. Major contributors were diversified financials, capital goods and food/beverage/tobacco, with heavy volumes and gains in Asia Asset Finance, Ambeon Capital, Hayleys, Central Finance, Lanka IOC and others; Sampath Bank fell and net foreign inflow was Rs47mn.

Dividend · Rs 2.75 · XD Dec 16, 2024

First Interim dividend of LKR 2.75/share; XD 2024-12-16; record 2024-12-16; payable 2024-12-20; FY 31st March 2025

Colombo market rose as the ASPI gained 0.84% (111 pts) to 13,340 with turnover of Rs.3.22bn and foreign net buying of Rs.85.3m. Top contributors included LOLC, CFIN, RCL, HNB and DIPD, while Agarapatana (+0.20 to Rs.9) and ACL Cables (+2.70 to Rs.98.50) saw notable activity.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up as ASPI rose 0.84% to 13,355, led by the food, beverage and tobacco sector (Rs783mn turnover). Top turnover movers included Agarapatana, Dipped Products, Central Finance, ACL Cables and CIC; Sunshine Holdings (amalgamation announced) also closed higher.

Colombo market opened higher as the ASPI rose 0.30% to 13,229 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.12% on turnover of Rs. 2.3bn; top contributors included HAYL, SPEN, AEL, JKH and CFIN, with Lion Brewery closing up at Rs. 1,114.75.