News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up, with the All Share Index rising 0.05% to 12,171 and the S&P SL20 up 0.14% to 3,595. Turnover was 1.3 billion, top turnover generators included Commercial Bank, Hayleys, John Keells and Sampath Bank, and there was a net foreign outflow of 21 million rupees.

Colombo market rose as ASPI gained 0.9% (111 points) to 12,165, a three-month high, with turnover of Rs.2.77 bn led by banking stocks; S&P SL20 rose 1.3% and top contributors included CTHR, SAMP, HNB, JKH and COMB.

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.

Siyapatha Finance PLC, the largest fully owned subsidiary of Sampath Bank PLC, was named 'Best Employer Brand' at the Sri Lanka Best Employer Brand Awards 2024. The award recognizes HR excellence and is endorsed by the World Federation of HR Professionals and CHRO Asia.

ASPI gained 1% to close at 12,053 as investors returned to buying, led by banking and blue-chip stocks; turnover was Rs. 2.8bn. Sampath Bank, John Keells and Commercial Bank were among top contributors to the session's gains.

Sri Lanka stocks closed up 1% with the Colombo All Share Index rising 123.5 points to 12,053, led by gains in John Keells, Sampath, Hatton National Bank and NDB. Turnover was 2.83 billion rupees; Melstacorp rose while Lion Brewery fell.

Colombo's ASPI fell 4 points to 11,930 as the market stayed bearish, with S&P SL20 down 26 points (0.7%), turnover Rs.1.3bn and net foreign outflow of Rs.18m. Major negatives were HNB, SAMP, COMB, HAYL and JKH while CINS and PKME (PickMe) were among gainers; Commercial Credit and Lankem also rose.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower on Oct 3: All Share Index fell 0.04% to 11,929 and S&P SL20 dropped 0.75% to 3,483, with turnover of LKR 1.3 billion and a net foreign outflow of LKR 17 million.

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.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell: All Share Index down 0.49% to 11,934 and S&P SL20 down 0.31% to 3,510, with turnover Rs 2.2bn and net foreign outflow Rs 123mn. Banks drew investor interest and crossings/top turnover involved Sampath, Commercial, HNB, Nations Trust, Hayleys and Vallibel One.

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.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake's 21 Sept. presidential win propelled the Colombo bourse—ASPI rose ~10% and S&P SL20 ~13% since the victory, returning indices to double-digit YTD gains. Turnover jumped to Rs.2.6bn with banks and capital goods leading; JKH, COMB, NDB, CFIN, SAMP and HNB were key positives while UML, MARA and BERU fell.

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.

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.

Private credit in Sri Lanka rose by Rs135bn in August 2024, up from Rs60bn in July. The pickup supports bank lending but occurs amid central bank deflationary policy and warnings about inflation and rupee pressure.

ASPI rose 7.4% for the week, closing yesterday at 11,774 (up 102) as investor confidence returned amid declining government security yields. Capital goods and banks led turnover with Access Engineering, John Keells, Aitken Spence and HNB among top contributors; MGT gained 4.9% while Sampath dipped slightly.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: All Share Index up 0.87% to 11,773 and S&P SL20 up 0.76% to 3,409, with turnover of 2.9 billion and net foreign inflow of 69 million rupees. Banking stocks led gains (HNB, Commercial Bank, DFCC, NDB) while some crossings and active foreign flows hit multiple counters.

Sampath Bank has commenced restoration of its 25th tank under the 'Wewata Jeewayak' programme, restoring 38.7 acres across Mangala Wewa, Samanala Wewa and Magampura Wewa to benefit 352 farming families. The project aims to provide year-round irrigation to support Yala and Maha cropping seasons and bolster local livelihoods.

Sampath Bank’s SampathCards renewed its partnership with Hilton Colombo as official sponsor of the 31st Oktoberfest (Oct 24–Nov 2, 2024), offering cardholders up to a 15% discount on event tickets.

Colombo market turnover topped Rs. 4 billion as the ASPI closed up 12 points at 11,672, marking an eighth consecutive day of gains. Banking stocks drove activity—contributing 39% of turnover with HNB, Sampath, NDB, Teejay Lanka and DFCC among top positive contributors, while Commercial Bank fell.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: All Share Index up 0.10% at 11,671 and S&P SL20 up 0.50% at 3,384, turnover 4.3 billion and net foreign inflow of 633 million rupees.

ASPI rose 326 points (2.87%) to 11,660, the biggest single-day gain in 14 months, as turnover hit Rs.4 billion and banks and blue-chip counters led a broad-based rally following the presidential election.

Siyapatha Finance PLC reported H1 2024 PAT of Rs.513 million, a 189% y/y increase, and PBT of Rs.1,215 million (up 133%). NII rose 70% to Rs.2,078 million, NPAs improved and Tier-1/Total CARs were 16.43%/19.42%, above regulatory minima.

Colombo ASPI jumped 237.31 points (2.14%) — the largest daily gain in 2024 — on turnover of Rs.2 billion as banks and capital goods led gains; CCS rose 10.2% and Commercial Bank, HNB, Sampath, John Keells, Melstacorp, LOLC and Access Engineering were among top contributors.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: All Share Index +2.87% to 11,659 and S&P SL20 +4.09% to 3,367, with turnover Rs3.9bn and net foreign inflow Rs82.10m. Banking stocks led gains while foreign buying concentrated in Sampath, HNB, Bukit Darah and LOLC Finance and selling hit CIC, Nations Trust, hSenid, John Keells and Ceylon Cold Stores.

Sampath Bank won Euromoney’s ‘Asia’s Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility’ award at the Awards for Excellence 2024 in Singapore. The bank was also nominated among the top three World’s Best Banks for Corporate Responsibility.

ASPI rose 130 points (1.19%) to 11,097 on a late rally after the presidential election, led by banking and blue‑chip gains (Commercial Bank, Hatton National Bank, Sampath Bank); turnover was Rs.994.4m and foreigners were net sellers by Rs.5.2m.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: All Share Index rose 1.19% to 11,096 and S&P SL20 rose 1.88% to 3,160. Larger banks (HNB, COMB, SAMP, DFCC, NDB) led gains while some smaller banks (NTB) fell and HDFC was flat; turnover was 994 million and net foreign outflow 5.2 million.

Sampath Bank (SAMP.N0000) was named 'Asia’s Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility' at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2024, recognised for initiatives including the 'Wewata Jeewayak' tank restoration programme and other environmental and social sustainability projects.

Colombo stocks rose ahead of the Presidential election as the ASPI gained 0.75% yesterday (up 2.7% WoW) and now shows a 2.93% YTD return, while the S&P SL20 rose 1.3% (4.1% WoW, 1.10% YTD). Banking stocks led the rally—Commercial Bank, Hatton National, NDB and Sampath were key movers—and turnover was driven by HNB, COMB and SAMP; foreigners were net sellers of Rs.12.1m.