News & market updates

Colombo bourse snapped a three-day decline as the ASPI rose 0.14% to 21,447.57 with turnover near Rs.1.5bn and foreign net selling of Rs.26.9m; gains were led by DIAL, HAYC, CFIN, JKH and CTHR.

Softlogic Capital PLC has appointed Imran Furkan to its Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Furkan is CEO of Tresync (Australia) and currently serves on the boards of Asiri Surgical Hospital PLC, Odel PLC and Maharaja Foods PLC.

ASPI jumped 3.43% (743.22 pts) to 22,380.65 as markets rallied on signs of a possible end to the Middle East war, with index-weighted counters SAMP, COMB, JKH, MELS and DIAL among top contributors; turnover exceeded Rs.4bn and foreigners were net buyers (Rs.21.1m).

The Colombo market closed lower as the ASPI fell 0.32% (73.23 pts) to 22,566.58, with foreign investors a thin net buyer of Rs. 3.4m. Top negatives included Bukit Darah, Ceylon Beverage, RIL Property and Sampath; turnover was led by food & beverage while Ceylon Cold Stores and Nawaloka gained and Access Engineering and Softlogic Capital fell.

Colombo market ended marginally higher as the ASPI rose 0.06% to 22,639.81 despite net foreign selling of Rs.2.52 billion. Softlogic Life (AAIC) and Ceylon Tobacco (CTC) topped foreign selling and AAIC led turnover with a ~Rs.1.3bn crossing; insurance, food & banking dominated activity.

CSE extended its rebound as the ASPI rose 3.79% (797.62 pts) to 21,868.85, with market value gaining Rs.284.1 billion in the session and recouping about 48% of the Rs.1.1 trillion loss since the Middle East conflict began. Commercial Bank, Hatton National Bank, Melstacorp, John Keells and Hayleys led gains; turnover topped Rs.6.4bn and foreigners were net sellers (Rs.525m).

ASPI fell 0.12% to 22,351.55 as profit-taking dragged the Colombo market, with declines in MELS, DOCK, CARS, SPEN and LLUB; market turnover was over Rs.4.3bn and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.21.36m.

Colombo market rebounded as the ASPI rose 2.17% (474.38 pts) to 22,378.52 after global oil prices fell below $95/bbl, with gains led by banks and blue-chips including HNB, SAMP, COMB and DIAL and turnover of about Rs.4.48bn.

The ASPI fell 0.07% to 23,882.82 in a volatile session with turnover of Rs.4.2bn and foreign net outflow of Rs.42.3m. Leading negative contributors were CTHR, PABC, DIMO, DFCC and RICH, while Softlogic Capital and Prime Lands led turnover.

Samsung was awarded Superbrands Sri Lanka’s Choice 2025, reinforcing its consumer electronics leadership and benefiting its island-wide distributor partners including Singer and Softlogic, as well as payment partners such as Singer Finance and Softlogic Capital.

Seminar on safeguards under the amended Companies Act No. 12 of 2025 will be held on 27 Jan (2–5pm) at NH Collection, Colombo 3. Organisers say the amendments place new responsibilities and stricter penal sanctions on company secretaries and directors; speakers include HNB and LOLC Insurance chairs.

Policybazaar for Business has launched tech-driven reinsurance operations in Sri Lanka, Qatar, Oman and the UAE to provide digital facultative and treaty capacity. The platform targets property, marine, liability, cyber and climate risks and could expand reinsurance capacity and transparency for Sri Lanka insurers such as LOLC, Ceylinco and Janashakthi.

Colombo market closed up for a fifth straight session as the ASPI inched to a record 20,715.49 (up 0.69 points) on turnover of Rs. 10.5 billion. Gains in Dialog Axiata, Sunshine and Royal Ceramics helped lift the index while banking names (HNB, Sampath) dominated turnover and foreigners were net sellers (Rs. 552.6m).

Colombo market closed flat as the ASPI fell 0.23% (47 pts) to 19,929 with turnover around Rs.7.1bn and foreign net selling of Rs.28.5m amid profit-taking. Transportation led turnover (20%) driven by Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka, while banking contributed strongly with activity in Sampath Bank and HNB.

ASPI rose 84.3 points (+0.5%) to 15,926 on low turnover of about Rs.1.7bn while foreigners were net sellers of Rs.35.1m; gains were led by counters including CINS, MELS, COMB and SPEN, with Food, Beverage & Tobacco and Banking driving activity.

Colombo market turned bearish as the ASPI slipped 2 points to 17,115 on turnover of Rs.7.34bn and a net foreign outflow of Rs.2.2bn led by JKH; capital goods led turnover while NDB, COOP, AEL and Sierra Cables rose and Browns, Royal Ceramics, Melstacorp, LOLC and Hayleys lagged.

Colombo market rose with the ASPI up 0.8% on turnover of Rs. 6 billion, led by heavy trading in John Keells, Lanka IOC, HNB, Alumex and Browns and a net foreign outflow of Rs. 492.4 million. JKH fell to Rs. 23.10, HNB rose to Rs. 350.25, LIOC to Rs. 142.25, Alumex to Rs. 15.90 and Browns to Rs. 8.50.

Colombo market saw nearly Rs.10bn turnover yesterday as ASPI rose 0.8% (week +4.9%), led by banking and diversified financials; top contributors were HNB, LOLC, DFCC, RCL and MELS, with notable gains in HNB, Commercial Bank, DFCC and LOLC.

The CSE warned Odel, Softlogic Capital and Softlogic Holdings they face trading suspensions from Dec 10, 2024 unless they submit overdue annual reports for the year ended March 31, 2024 by Dec 6, 2024 under Listing Rule 7.5(e).