News & market updates

ASPI fell 1.3% (221 pts) to 16,345 as the Colombo market stayed bearish for a second day with Rs.2.4bn turnover; the Banking sector led losses and turnover, with HNB, SAMP, DFCC, MELS and COMB the main negatives and CTC, RICH and COOP top positives.

Commercial High Court (Colombo) ruled in favour of Rice Lanka Processing Ltd, finding that an Amana Takaful PLC cover note provided valid interim insurance for two flood claims totalling Rs. 66,006,338. The decision affirms cover notes are legally binding and raises insurer liability in similar cases.

Fitch upgraded four Sri Lankan insurers' National IFS ratings after recalibrating the national scale following Sri Lanka's sovereign upgrade; People's Insurance was upgraded to A(lka) and Co-operative Insurance's rating was affirmed at BB(lka). Fitch said the moves reflect reduced investment and liquidity risks tied to the sovereign and banks.

Fitch upgraded the national IFS ratings of four Sri Lankan insurers after recalibrating the national rating scale following a sovereign upgrade — People's Insurance (PINS.N0000) was raised to A(lka), HNB Assurance and HNB General were upgraded, while Co-operative Insurance (COOP.N0000) was affirmed at BB(lka).

Colombo market turned bearish as the ASPI slipped 2 points to 17,115 on turnover of Rs.7.34bn and a net foreign outflow of Rs.2.2bn led by JKH; capital goods led turnover while NDB, COOP, AEL and Sierra Cables rose and Browns, Royal Ceramics, Melstacorp, LOLC and Hayleys lagged.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed broadly flat with the ASPI down 0.01% at 17,115 and the S&P SL20 flat at 5,126; turnover was 7.3 billion. Top positive contributors included NDB (128.25), Co-operative Insurance (3.70), Access Engineering (42.00) and DFCC (129.50).

Colombo bourse ended the week higher (ASPI +2.1% for the week; ASPI +0.26 yesterday, S&P SL20 +0.28) with turnover yesterday at Rs.5.4bn and a net foreign outflow of Rs.221.5m. Banking and capital-goods/construction stocks led turnover, with top contributors including Dialog, DFCC, Dipped Products, Hemas and Commercial Bank.

Colombo market opened the holidays-shortened week higher as the ASPI rose 1.4% and the S&P SL20 rose 2% on turnover of Rs.4.4bn, supported by lower T-bill yields and strong banking and blue‑chip buying (notable contributors: SAMP, DFCC, NDB, HNB, COMB, JKH).

Colombo Stock Exchange rebounded with the ASPI rising 0.63% (≈99 points) to 15,954 on turnover of Rs.5.2 billion. Key contributors included Sampath, Melstacorp, LB Finance and Commercial Bank, with the banking sector leading turnover and a net foreign outflow of Rs.229.6m.

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 Market closed mixed: ASPI +40 pts (+0.27%) while S&P SL20 -14 pts (-0.3%), with turnover Rs.5.85bn on 357m shares and a net foreign outflow of Rs.1.5m. Top contributors included Ceylon Cold Stores, PGP Glass, John Keells, Lanka IOC, Dipped Products and Lanka Milk Foods, with Food, Beverage & Tobacco leading turnover.

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 bourse ended the week mixed: ASPI rose 24 points (+0.19%) while the S&P SL20 fell over 12 points (-0.3%) on Rs.3.7bn turnover and a net foreign outflow of Rs.381.9m. Key contributors included AHUN, LLUB, SAMP and BIL, with consumer services leading turnover and banks and hotels drawing investor interest.

Colombo bourse rose with the ASPI up 0.9% (115 pts) and turnover jumping to Rs.5.1bn, boosted by crossings and heavy banking-sector activity. Top contributors included Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank, John Keells, Hemas and NDB, with a net foreign outflow of Rs.246.3m.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down: the ASPI fell 0.60% to 12,719 on turnover of Rs3.1 billion. John Keells contributed Rs1.2bn to turnover; most banks (HNB, COMB, SAMP, NDB, DFCC) were down while Dilmah Ceylon Tea, Co-operative Insurance, Singer and Vallibel One were among top gainers.

ASPI rose 1.34% to 10,826 and the S&P SL20 gained nearly 2% as banking counters led gains and accounted for 46% of turnover; top contributors included Sampath Bank, Hatton National Bank, John Keells, Aitken Spence and Hayleys.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: All Share Index up 1.34% to 10,826 and S&P SL20 up 1.92% to 3,037, with bank stocks leading turnover (Rs424mn) and most banks rising. Net foreign outflow was Rs71mn; foreign buying seen in Ceylinco, Chevron Lubricants and Browns Investments while selling affected Commercial Bank, Access Engineering, Co-operative Insurance, Nations Trust and Sunshine.

Fitch affirmed Co-operative Insurance Company PLC's 'BB(lka)' national insurer financial strength rating and kept the outlook stable. Fitch cited improved underwriting (combined ratio 118% in 1H24 vs 132% in 2023), a regulatory RBC of 312% at end-1H24, but noted past governance lapses and a 2023 net loss of LKR258m.

Colombo Bourse fell for a second week as the ASPI lost 0.9% and the S&P SL20 lost 1.5% amid election uncertainty, with weekly turnover averaging Rs.1.03 billion. Major laggards included Commercial Bank, HNB, John Keells and Windforce, while Ceylon Tobacco, Ceylon Grain Elevators and Cable Solutions gained.

The Colombo bourse's five-day winning streak ended with a 0.2% drop on Friday, but the week closed with the S&P SL20 up 2.4% and the ASPI up 1.8% and average daily turnover of Rs. 740m. Top negative contributors were C T Holdings, John Keells, DFCC, Central Finance and Lanka IOC, while Access Engineering, Renuka and Melstacorp gained.