News & market updates

HNB Finance reported Profit Before Tax of Rs. 2.2 billion for FY24/25, up 112% year-on-year. PAT was Rs. 765m; total assets rose to Rs. 58.5bn (+9%); lending +27% (gold +65%, leasing +64%); rights issue oversubscribed and Fitch upgraded to A(lka) Stable.

Colombo market rebounded after a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, with the ASPI up 2.5% (426 pts) and turnover Rs.5.2bn. Banking stocks and conglomerates led gains, with JKH, COMB, PABC and CFIN among the top contributors.

Colombo market lost Rs. 117 billion as the ASPI fell 1.9% (S&P SL20 -2.1%) amid Middle East tensions, with turnover Rs. 2.5 billion led by HNB, SAMP and EAST. Broad-based declines hit banking and capital goods counters, while foreign net inflows were small.

The Colombo Bourse rebounded on Friday with the ASPI and S&P SL20 up 1.6% (ASPI closed at 17,088) though the ASPI fell 1.8% for the week. Banking led turnover (28%) and sector gains, with Ceylinco, Sampath, Hayleys, Commercial Bank, Panasian Power and East West among top contributors; foreigners were net sellers (Rs.42.3m).

Colombo market turned more bearish as the ASPI fell 1.22% (S&P SL20 down 1.11%) on turnover of Rs. 3.9bn, with HAYL, CTHR, SAMP, DFCC and HNB exerting selling pressure; JKH, L B Finance and CTC also recorded price declines.

Colombo market fell as the ASPI closed down 0.45% (78 pts) at 17,281 while turnover rose to Rs.6.8bn led by crossings in Hayleys, Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank, L B Finance and John Keells. Foreign investors were net sellers with a Rs.115.7m outflow.

ASPI fell 0.4% and the S&P SL20 fell 0.7% as Colombo stocks extended losses amid heightened Israel‑Iran tensions. Turnover was Rs.3.15bn; top negative contributors included HNB, COMB, LOLC, HAYL and CTC, while CDB, Hemas, LVL Energy Fund and Lanka IOC saw notable buying/turnover.

Colombo market slipped as the ASPI fell 1.3% (234 pts) to 17,427 and the S&P SL20 dropped 1.6%, with turnover around Rs.4 billion. Diversified financials led turnover while HNB, MELS, DFCC, SAMP and JKH pressured the index; Capital Alliance and Central Finance saw notable moves.

HNB Finance PLC appointed Ms. Ramanika Unamboowe as an Independent Non-Executive Director effective 4 June 2025. She joins with 22 years' experience at Nations Trust Bank, most recently as Executive Vice President – Human Resources.

Colombo market closed mixed — ASPI +4 points, S&P SL20 -11 on turnover of Rs.3.7bn — as investors reacted to an electricity tariff hike with increased selling pressure; Diversified Financials led turnover and foreign investors were net buyers of Rs.8.7m.

ASPI rose 0.9% to lift its YTD return to 10.74% as turnover reached Rs.5.68 billion led by LVEF (Rs.500m), RCL (Rs.304m) and TILE (Rs.269m), with banking and capital‑goods/construction counters among the session’s key drivers.

HNB Finance reported profit after tax of Rs 765 million for 2024, up 23% y/y. The company said it will strengthen its lending by shifting toward secured loans, open two new branches, expand leasing and gold-loan portfolios, improve asset quality and received a Fitch upgrade to A(lka) Stable.

HNB Finance PLC has appointed Ramanika Unamboowe as an Independent Non-Executive Director. She previously served as Executive Vice President – Human Resources at Nations Trust Bank and has over 22 years' banking sector experience.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI rose 0.61% to 17,500.24 and the S&P SL20 gained 0.64% to 5,208.95, led by gains in Hayleys, Ceylinco Holdings, Ceylon Cold Stores, HNB and Ceylon Tobacco amid retail buying and lower interest rates.

ASPI rose 138 points (0.8%) to 17,353 as the CSE extended its rally on turnover of Rs.7.37bn, led by heavy trading in CDB and CFIN; notable price gains were seen in CDB, CFIN, CTC, HHL, CIC and SUN, while SPEN topped net foreign buying and PKME topped net foreign selling.

HNB FINANCE PLC hosted 'Vesak Sirisara' on May 9 at its Nawala head office, holding religious and cultural activities including devotional song recitals, a Vesak lantern display, a dansala, branch-wide competitions and live streaming of the event.

HNB Group reported Q1 2025 Group PAT of Rs 11.1 Bn (up 49% YoY) and Bank PAT of Rs 10.2 Bn (up 64% YoY). The bank completed acquisition of the remaining 50% stake in HNB Investment Bank from DFCC PLC and participated in HNB Finance PLC’s rights issue; Net Stage 3 ratio improved to 1.82%.

HNB Group reported Q1 2025 Group PAT of Rs. 11.1 billion and Bank PAT of Rs. 10.2 billion, up 49% and 64% YoY respectively. The bank posted NII of Rs. 23.7 billion, strong capital ratios (Tier 1 17.60%, total 21.89%), improved net stage 3 ratio to 1.82%, acquired the remaining 50% of HNB Investment Bank from DFCC and participated in HNB Finance PLC’s rights issue.

Colombo market ended the session marginally down with the ASPI falling 10 points to 15,916 while both ASPI and S&P SL20 gained 0.4% for the week; turnover was about Rs.1.5–1.54 billion and Materials led activity. Ceylon Grain Elevators (GRAN) rose 6.06% and HNB gained, while HHL, TJL, SPEN and RCL pressured the index; ACME closed flat.

HNB General Insurance was named Sri Lanka’s Most Awarded General Insurance Company 2024 by LMD and had its Fitch credit rating upgraded to 'A(lka)' from 'A-(lka)'.

Colombo market extended gains as the ASPI rose 56 points (0.35%) to 15,867 on turnover of Rs.2 billion with foreign net inflows of Rs.25.5m. Food, Beverage & Tobacco and Materials led turnover and gains while banking showed subdued sentiment.

HNB FINANCE PLC (HNBF.N0000) commemorated International Women’s Day 2025 on March 7 with a company-wide programme attended by nearly 230 female staff and linked live across branches. The event featured a guest panel and highlighted the firm's support for women through small business loans and financial literacy initiatives.

HNB Finance PLC completed an oversubscribed rights issue of 358,245,963 new ordinary shares, raising approximately Rs. 1 billion. Proceeds will bolster capital adequacy and support expansion of its lending portfolio, and management highlighted a focus on digitalisation and automation.

Rights issue · 5:24 at Rs 3.40 · XD Feb 25, 2025

Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB.N0000) formalised a group-wide data-sharing agreement with its subsidiaries, including HNB Finance PLC, to strengthen data governance and ensure compliance with Sri Lanka's Personal Data Protection Act. The framework introduces advanced security measures, access controls and regular audits.

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 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.