News & market updates

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.

HNB PLC signed an MoU with the KIU Group to provide student-focused financial solutions, including educational loans and payment schemes, to improve access to KIU’s undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The agreement also covers recruitment and training via EIPER International to support international placements in health and caregiving.

Colombo market closed in red with the ASPI down 59 points to 12,796 on turnover of Rs.2.38bn. Banking led turnover (60%) as HNB, Sampath, Pan Asia and Commercial Bank were key movers; John Keells and Digital Mobility Solutions declared interim dividends.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down: ASPI fell 0.46% to 12,795 and the S&P SL20 fell 0.58% to 3,852 on turnover of Rs 2.3bn. Banking stocks were mixed — HNB, Commercial Bank and NDB fell while Sampath and DFCC rose; HNB trades contributed Rs 758m to turnover.

Kavinda de Zoysa has been appointed Chairman of Bank of Ceylon; he is a career banker with over 30 years’ experience and was most recently Director and Country Business Head of Citibank Sri Lanka, with a track record in digitization and corporate banking.

Hatton National Bank (HNB) said it and DFCC Bank mutually withdrew from the planned acquisition of Acuity Partners after failing to agree the final sale-and-purchase terms, despite HNB having obtained the required statutory and regulatory approvals.

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Hatton National Bank (HNB) has withdrawn from its proposed acquisition of control of Acuity Partners from DFCC Bank, canceling the previously announced Rs. 7 billion transaction.

Hatton National Bank (HNB) and CIC Holdings signed a three-year MoU to launch a women's health program for HNB employees. CIC’s Health & Personal Care Division will run monthly sessions across HNB regional offices with quarterly topic focuses including NCDs, menopause, mental health and infertility.

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 Exchange closed stronger with the ASPI up 0.73% (93.07 pts) at 12,863.65, led by financials; Citizens Development Business Finance Plc saw a Rs2.23bn crossing and its shares rose 1.63% to Rs233.50. Hatton National Bank and NDB also rose on the session.

President Dissanayake met with the Sri Lanka Banks' Association and pledged to fast-track digital transformation, including a National Digital ID to be implemented within 1.5 years, while committing to protect and support banks and entrepreneurs amid economic challenges.

Colombo market sustained gains as the ASPI rose 1% (136 pts) to 12,746 and the S&P SL20 gained 1.7%, with banking stocks — Hatton National Bank, Commercial Bank and Sampath Bank — leading turnover in a Rs. 3.96bn session.

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.

HNB PLC held a ceremony to felicitate 195 employees who completed 25 years of service, presenting the employees with a two-sovereign gold coin and a plaque.

ASPI rose 0.7% to 12,610 (a 32-month high) as turnover hit Rs.4.4bn, led by the banking sector which contributed 36% of turnover. HNB, Sampath, NDB, LOLC, Browns and MELS were top contributors while JKH fell modestly and foreigners were net sellers of Rs.12.2m.

Hatton National Bank (HNB) relaunched its 'Oba Venuwen Api' microfinance grant for 2023/24, disbursing Rs. 5.2 million to 52 micro-entrepreneurs as part of a roughly Rs. 50 million program over three years. The funds, allocated across 13 districts, target sectors including fisheries, agriculture, construction and manufacturing.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI +0.74% to 12,610 and S&P SL20 +0.84% to 3,790, with turnover Rs4.4bn; Hatton National Bank accounted for Rs926m of turnover and there was a net foreign outflow of Rs12.21m.

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.

CSE turnover rose to an eight-month high of Rs.4.8bn as ASPI gained 0.94% and the S&P SL20 gained 1.55%; heavy trading and price gains were led by John Keells, Hayleys, Sampath Bank, Hatton National Bank, Commercial Bank, Ceylon Tobacco and Resus Energy.

HNB PLC renewed its partnership with the All Island Professional Lecturers’ Association to offer APLA members enhanced retail banking packages, special interest rates and access to HNB digital platforms (HNB SOLO, HNB MOMO). The agreement covers services available across HNB’s 254 customer centres.

Colombo market closed marginally higher as the ASPI rose 57 points to 12,357 on turnover of Rs.2.3bn and a net foreign inflow of Rs.118.1m. Banking-led buying (35% turnover) and gains in Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank, NDB and Central Finance drove the session, with Hayleys and Hemas also up.

HNB.N0000 renewed a partnership with the All Island Professional Lecturers’ Association to offer APLA members enhanced retail banking packages, special interest rates and access to HNB digital platforms including HNB SOLO and HNB MOMO.

HNB PLC has achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification for its Banking Services Department’s Procurement functions (IT, Stationery and General), awarded by Bureau Veritas. The bank said additional departments — inward/outward remittance, centralized operations, credit operations and credit administration — also recently received ISO 9001:2015 certification.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed mixed: ASPI fell 0.08% to 12,300 while S&P SL20 rose 0.11% to 3,628, with turnover Rs1.9bn and a net foreign inflow of Rs37m. Top contributors included John Keells, Lion Brewery, Sampath Bank, HNB and Central Finance.

ASPI closed down 4 points at 12,309 while S&P SL20 rose 2 points, with turnover of Rs.1.5 billion and foreign investors net selling Rs.109.4 million. ACL, UAL and HELA were among gainers while CFIN, LMF, LIOC, HAYL, RCL and SPEN were notable losers; Capital Goods led turnover.

Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB) obtained ISO 9001:2015 certification from Bureau Veritas for its Banking Services Department procurement functions, covering IT, stationery and general procurement. HNB also recently secured the certification for inward/outward remittance, centralised operations and credit operations/administration.