News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower: ASPI down 0.06% at 12,855 and S&P SL20 down 0.11% at 3,875. Banking stocks led turnover and mostly fell (Commercial Bank, HNB, DFCC, NDB down) while Melstacorp, Sampath, Teejay Lanka and Lion Brewery were top gainers; turnover was 1.8bn rupees with a net foreign outflow of 31m.

Hatton National Bank (HNB) has withdrawn from its proposed acquisition of control of Acuity Partners from DFCC Bank, canceling the previously announced Rs. 7 billion transaction.

DFCC Bank (DFCC.N0000) signed an MOU with Prime Lands Residencies PLC (PLR.N0000) to offer home loans for 'The Palace' with rates from 12% p.a., flexible repayment and up to a 3-year grace period. Borrowers pay 10% of principal during the grace period and may repay 50% as a residual final instalment.

DFCC Bank opened a 'MySpace' digital self-banking centre in Dickoya featuring an ATM/CDM that allows 24/7 cash deposits and withdrawals. The centre accepts VISA, JCB and LankaPay cards and offers credit card and utility bill payments to improve banking access for the rural community.

Colombo Stock Exchange opened November with Rs.5.0 billion turnover as ASPI rose 0.7% to 12,864. Diversified financials led turnover (52%) and an off-board crossing saw CDB's 12.7% stake trade at Rs.247.50; several banks and mid/small caps (HNB, PABC, DFCC) saw heavy activity or gains.

Colombo stock market turnover hit an 8-month high of Rs. 7 billion, led by Harischandra Mills (Rs.1bn), NDB (Rs.663m), Hayleys (Rs.534m), DFCC (Rs.340m) and PABC (Rs.339m); off-board trades transferred 13.9% of Harischandra and 10.7% of Swadeshi.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up: ASPI +1.07% to 12,745 and S&P SL20 +1.71% to 3,855 on turnover of 3.9 billion. Top turnover generators included HNB, Sampath, Commercial Bank, Lanka IOC and CIC, with a net foreign outflow of 12.21 million rupees.

DFCC Bank won the 'Best Performance of Growth' and 'Best Performance of Profitability' awards at the ICC Emerging Asia Banking Conclave & Awards 2024 in New Delhi. The recognitions highlight the bank's strong growth and profitability and its strategic focus amid challenging market conditions.

Colombo Stock Exchange recorded Rs.4.7bn turnover as the S&P SL20 rose 1% and the ASPI gained 0.35%. HNB (Rs.1.39bn), Sampath (Rs.1bn) and JKH (Rs.442mn) led turnover; HNB and Sampath fell while Commercial Bank, John Keells, DFCC, CTC and Central Finance posted gains.

Colombo Stock Exchange ended the week in green: ASPI rose 0.35% to 12,517 and turnover was Rs4.7bn, with Sampath Bank and Hatton National Bank contributing over Rs1bn and Rs1.3bn respectively. Net foreign outflow was Rs186m and Lion Brewery announced a Rs17.3/share dividend.

DFCC Bank (DFCC.N0000) won two awards — “Best Performance of Growth” and “Best Performance of Profitability” — at the ICC Emerging Asia Banking Conclave and Awards 2024 in New Delhi. The recognitions highlight the bank's reported strategic focus on sustainable growth and profitability.

DFCC Bank is the exclusive banking partner for Colombo Oktoberfest 2024, an event expected to attract over 10,000 participants. The partnership is intended to boost DFCC's customer engagement and brand visibility through festival-led marketing.

DFCC Bank (DFCC Aloka) is the Diamond sponsor and official banking partner of the WCIC Prathibhabhisheka Women Entrepreneur Awards 2024 for the third consecutive year. DFCC Aloka will provide tailored financial and non-financial support to women entrepreneurs, including low-cost credit lines and workshops.

Colombo Bourse closed marginally higher (ASPI +12) with net foreign inflows of Rs.267m, led by strong foreign buying in John Keells (JKH: net +Rs.132.7m; JKH up Rs.4.50 to Rs.198.25). Turnover was Rs.1.6bn; capital goods (via JKH), banking and F&B were top turnover contributors.

Colombo bourse saw net foreign inflows of Rs. 339.1 mn while the ASPI fell 19 points on turnover of Rs. 2.1 bn. John Keells drew the most foreign buying and led turnover, banks (Sampath, DFCC) weighed on the index and AGPL rose 9.8% after a dividend.

DFCC Bank (DFCC Aloka) is the Diamond Sponsor and official banking partner of the WCIC Prathibhabhisheka Women Entrepreneur Awards 2024 for the third consecutive year, supporting female entrepreneurs with tailored financial and non-financial services; the programme runs into 2025.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down, the All Share Index fell 0.16% to 12,152 with turnover Rs 2.1bn and a net foreign outflow of Rs 339m; top foreign buying included Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank, ACL Cables, Melstacorp and Elpitiya Plantations, and Agarapatana Plantations suspended trading after announcing a Rs1 dividend.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI rose 0.92% to 12,164 and S&P SL20 gained 1.34% to 3,590, led by banking stocks which accounted for Rs 1.4bn of turnover; top contributors included C T Holdings, Sampath Bank, John Keells and Commercial Bank.

DFCC Bank is the official Banking Partner and Gold Sponsor of the 1333Bikeathon, a 13-day, 1,333-km campaign to raise awareness and funds for the 1333 suicide prevention hotline. DFCC staff participated in rides and awareness events, aligning the sponsorship with the bank's sustainability and community health commitments.

DFCC Bank listed a senior, rated, unsecured 3-year Green Bond on the CSE to raise up to Rs. 2.5 billion (20,000,000 bonds at Rs.100) with a fixed 12% p.a. coupon; the issue was oversubscribed on the opening day.

DFCC Bank listed a 3-year Green Bond on the Colombo Stock Exchange to raise up to Rs.2.5 billion (20,000,000 bonds at Rs.100 par) with a 12% fixed annual coupon; the issue was oversubscribed on opening day.

Colombo market cooled after 11 straight gains as the ASPI fell about 59 points (0.5%) on turnover of Rs.2.3bn, with banks contributing 59% of turnover. Sampath, Commercial and Hatton National rose, while Vallibel One and Nations Trust fell; JKH, LOLC, NDB, Hayleys and DFCC weighed on the index.

Gayani De Alwis was elected Chairperson of the Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) at its 39th AGM. The WCIC highlighted partnerships with organisations including DFCC Bank, USAID and UNDP, expansion into the Northern Province, and said its 86 award-winning entrepreneurs generated Rs. 37.1 billion in combined revenue.

Colombo market extended gains as the ASPI closed at 11,992.91 (+1.16%), led by banking and consumer durables; HNB, Sampath, Commercial Bank, DFCC and John Keells were top positive contributors amid higher turnover and renewed apparel export demand.

Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka appointed Ashoka Goonesekere as an Independent Non-Executive Director. He brings over 36 years of banking experience and holds or has held board and senior finance/risk roles at Pan Asia Banking (PABC.N0000), PMF Finance (PMB.N0000), Hatton National Bank (HNB.N0000) and DFCC Bank (DFCC.N0000).

Ceylon Hospitals resolved to amalgamate with its subsidiary Durdans Heart Centre via a share swap of 0.2933 CHPLC shares per DHC share, with a Rs33 cash option; trading in CHL shares was halted pending the disclosure. The Colombo bourse closed higher (ASPI +1.16%), led by gains in banking stocks including HNB, JKH, Commercial Bank, DFCC and Sampath.

DFCC Bank PLC issued Sri Lanka's first Green Bond and marked the issuance with a bell-ringing ceremony at the Colombo Stock Exchange. The event was attended by officials including the ADB Sri Lanka Country Director and the SEC and CSE chairmen.

DFCC Bank issued Sri Lanka's first listed green bond on the Colombo Stock Exchange, raising Rs 2.5 billion in an oversubscribed three-year fixed-coupon issue rated A- (lka) by Fitch; proceeds will fund eligible green projects such as photovoltaic power generation.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose with the All Share Index up 0.69% to 11,855 and the S&P SL20 up 1.45% to 3,459 on turnover of 2.6 billion; banking stocks led gains while there was a net foreign outflow of Rs 123 million.