News & market updates

ASPI fell 9 points to 12,300 with turnover of Rs.19.3 billion; John Keells Holdings (JKH.N0000) led turnover (Rs.676m), had rights converted to ordinary shares and rose to Rs.199.

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.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed mixed: ASPI fell 0.03% to 12,309 while the S&P SL20 rose 0.05% to 3,624, with turnover of 1.4 billion and net foreign outflow of 109 million rupees. Top gainers included Sampath Bank, ACL Cables and Hemas; laggards included Hayleys, Central Finance, Royal Ceramics and Aitken Spence, and Lanka IOC reported a 50% drop in Sept quarter profit to 2,525 million rupees.

Sampath Bank (SAMP.N0000) signed a service agreement with Central Depository Systems Ltd (CDS) to provide a Total Dividend Solution for Colombo Stock Exchange-listed companies. The service offers electronic fund transfers, cheque processing and customised payout methods to speed and streamline dividend disbursements.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: All Share Index +0.18% to 12,313 and S&P SL20 +0.26% to 3,622, with turnover Rs1.9bn. Renewed investor interest in leasing/finance on a possible vehicle import ban reversal and positive results/crossings at L B Finance and CDB; net foreign outflow Rs87mn.

Siyapatha Finance, a fully owned subsidiary of Sampath Bank, was ranked 'Best Performing Finance Company' in Category 2 by K Seeds for Q2 2024, reporting a 9.34% net profit margin and 372.05% net profit growth year‑on‑year.

Sampath Bank will be the sole sponsor of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka's inaugural trilingual concert on 19–20 October, with an exclusive performance for over 600 invited Sampath customers on 19 October. The sponsorship is positioned to promote the arts and offer curated experiences for high-net-worth clients.

Sampath Bank (SAMP.N0000) has signed a service agreement with Central Depository Systems (CDS) to provide its Total Dividend Solution via Sampath's Cash Management Suite, enabling CSE-listed companies to process dividend payouts through e-transfers, cheque processing and other methods.

Sampath Bank joined a $750m syndicated loan for the State Bank of India, contributing $25m to the facility. The bank said the transaction aligns with its strategy to expand cross-border financing and strengthen its investment portfolio.

Sampath Bank PLC participated in a $750 million senior unsecured syndicated term loan for State Bank of India after the facility was upsized from $350m. Sampath said the three-year loan aligns with its strategy to enhance its investment portfolio and secure strong returns.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: All Share Index +0.27% to 12,290 and S&P SL20 +0.17% to 3,613 on turnover of Rs 1.7 billion. Top movers included Dialog, Digital Mobility, Dipped Products, Maskeliya and Hemas, with net foreign outflow of Rs 317 million and mixed foreign buying/selling across counters.

Sampath Bank's fully owned subsidiary Siyapatha Finance PLC opened its 51st branch in Matugama. The branch will offer leasing, deposits, gold financing, loans and digital services (Smart Pay); the company also carried out a tree-planting CSR initiative and donated computers to a local school.

Colombo market was mixed as the ASPI rose 0.09% to 12,258 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.20%; turnover was about Rs.1.85–1.9 billion and foreigners were net buyers of Rs.139.7 million, led by net foreign buying in John Keells (Rs.240.9m) and net selling in Dialog.

Sampath Bank PLC participated in the upsized $750 million senior unsecured syndicated term loan facility for State Bank of India led by Mashreq. The three-year commitment supports Sampath Bank's strategy to enhance its international investment portfolio and seek strong returns amid expected credit growth.

Acuity forecasts 20–40% upside for listed commercial banks (COMB.N0000, HNB.N0000, SAMP.N0000, NTB.N0000) from ISB restructuring, expecting provision writebacks of c.12–15%. The report anticipates the bond exchange in ~2–3 months and estimates NAV gains of ~Rs.50 for HNB and ~Rs.20 for COMB.

Colombo market closed lower with the S&P SL20 down 0.7% and ASPI down 0.4%, while foreigners were net buyers of Rs.153.6m. Banks (e.g. Commercial Bank, Sampath) dragged indices, while Balangoda Plantations, John Keells and Hayleys Fabric led turnover with mixed price moves.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed mixed: ASPI rose 0.09% to 12,257 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.20% to 3,607, with turnover of 1.8 billion and a net foreign inflow of 139 million rupees. Top turnover stocks included John Keells, Citrus Leisure, Dialog and Commercial Bank, with foreign buying noted in JKH, Commercial Bank, Sampath, Citrus Leisure and Windforce.

Siyapatha Finance PLC — the largest fully owned subsidiary of Sampath Bank PLC — said its CHRO Prasad Udugampola won the 'Top Most HR Leaders – Sri Lanka' and 'Top HR Icon Award – Asia Pacific' and was invited to speak at the Asia Pacific HRM Congress.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell as the ASPI dropped 0.39% to 12,246 and the S&P SL20 fell 0.71% to 3,614, with banks (C T Holdings, HNB, Commercial Bank, Sampath, NDB) weighing on the index. Turnover was Rs1.4bn and there was a net foreign inflow of Rs153mn; Sri Lanka Telecom and Hayleys Fabric were among gainers.

Sampath Bank (SAMP) and Hayleys' renewable arm signed an MOU to offer affordable loans for rooftop Solar PV installations targeting residential, commercial and industrial customers. The scheme aims to let customers pay monthly installments lower than current electricity bills, with projected free electricity benefits over 20 years.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up as the All Share Index rose 1.07% to 12,294, led by banks with total turnover of Rs2.3bn and Rs563mn in bank trades. Top contributors included Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank, Lanka IOC and Browns Investments, and net foreign inflow was Rs107mn.

The Clearing Association of Bankers held its 12th AGM on 4 October at HNB Towers; Sampath Bank’s Nalin Liyanage was elected CAB President for 2024/2025. Representatives from multiple commercial banks attended and Prompt Xpress served as the platinum sponsor.

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 Stock Exchange closed higher: All Share Index +0.10% to 12,164 and S&P SL20 +0.20% to 3,600, turnover Rs1.5bn and net foreign inflow Rs267m. Top turnover included John Keells, Hayleys, Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank and Nations Trust; top foreign flows varied across names.

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.

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.

Sampath Bank's fully owned subsidiary SC Securities became the first stockbroking firm in Sri Lanka to receive ISO 9001:2015 certification from the Sri Lanka Standards Institution.

SC Securities, a fully owned subsidiary of Sampath Bank (SAMP.N0000), became the first Sri Lankan stockbroking firm to receive ISO 9001:2015 certification, signalling improved quality management, operational efficiency and risk controls.

Colombo's ASPI rose about 6 points to 12,171 as turnover was Rs.1.4bn, led by Commercial Bank, Hayleys and John Keells. Hayleys (+4.5%) and John Keells (+2.5%) were major index movers while banking counters saw profit-taking (Sampath down) and foreigners net sold Rs.21.4m.