News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange indices were trading higher midday, the ASPI up 0.36% (76.41 pts) at 21,205.62 and the S&P SL20 up 0.38% at 5,962.29; market turnover was Rs 314 million, with banks leading at Rs 122.7 million. Asia Asset Finance said 41,398,511 preference shares will be deemed converted into 53,348,596 ordinary shares at Rs 7.76 each effective Aug 10 (pref shares trade ends Aug 6; ordinary shares from Sep 16).

Colombo market rose after the Central Bank held policy rates steady; ASPI +0.02% to 21,149.56 while S&P SL20 fell 0.21%. SEYB, PKME, CARG and SEMB were main positive contributors as real estate management & development drove 65% of turnover with crossings in ONAL; foreigners net-sold Rs.241m.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.40% (up 85.60 pts) to 21,235.16 as banks led turnover (LKR 76.8m) and the S&P SL20 gained 0.73%. Commercial Bank announced the final allotment for its Basel III Tier-2 debenture issue, which was oversubscribed with applications for 244.23m debentures (LKR 24.42bn) and 150m debentures allocated to identified investors.

The ASPI fell 1.07% (233.18 points) to 21,532.38 as investors sold amid renewed Middle East conflict concerns. Market turnover was over Rs 1bn, foreign investors were net sellers of about Rs 56mn, with banks and food & beverage sectors leading activity.

Colombo market fell for an eighth session as ASPI dropped 0.60% (130.78 pts) to 21,697.72 amid renewed Middle East tensions, with turnover over Rs.1.4bn and foreign net outflow of Rs.91.7m. Declines were led by Commercial Bank, Melstacorp, Hayleys and John Keells, while capital goods, food & beverage and banking drove turnover.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 0.50% to 22,309.23 midday Friday, with turnover Rs.240.5m and capital goods leading turnover at Rs.94.3m. Top movers included Access Engineering, Aitken Spence (declared Rs.4 tax-exempt dividend), Hemas and Central Finance while SMB Finance, Watawala, John Keells and Windforce fell.

Colombo Stock Exchange was up midday, ASPI +0.54% to 22,294.71 with turnover Rs.700m and materials leading turnover at Rs.192.7m. Top movers included Hayleys, Sunshine and HNB (positive) while Royal Ceramics, SMB Finance and Aitken Spence fell; Jetwing Symphony declared a final dividend of Rs.0.50 and its shares rose 3.6%.

ASPI rose 258.09 points (+1.13%) on 7 Jul as CSE turnover reached ~Rs.5.28 B; Industrial Asphalt jumped 40%, SMB Finance gained (non‑voting +33.33%, voting +25%), while Palm Garden Hotels fell 7.08% and foreign net outflow was Rs.22.32 M.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed up 1.13% as the ASPI rose 258.09 points to 22,997 with turnover of Rs 5.28 billion and materials leading turnover (Rs 1.38bn). SMB Finance announced CEO Supul Chamikara Wijesinghe will resign effective June 3.

SMB Finance PLC appointed Ruchit Kandage as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Kandage brings over two decades of international experience in finance, capital structure, project finance and governance, with specialist training and senior advisory roles.

SMB Finance PLC (SEMB.N0000) appointed Sureshnee Kumarasena as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Kumarasena is a finance professional with over a decade of experience in auditing, corporate finance and equity research, currently at Acuity Knowledge Partners and an Associate Member of CIMA.

Colombo Stock Exchange's ASPI fell 0.80% (182.14 pts) to 22,662.09, led by declines in diversified financials including Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank and HNB while market turnover dropped to 2.34 billion rupees. SMB Finance's non-voting shares were the top gainer, up 10 cents to 40 cents.

Sri Lanka stocks rose 0.7% on Monday, led by financial shares as the ASPI gained 164.34 points to 23,502.59. Top contributors from the shortlist included HNB, Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank and NDB, while construction names like Access Engineering and Kelani Cables also gained and John Keells reported a 21% quarterly profit rise.

SMB Finance PLC appointed Dr. Gishan Illangakoon as an Independent Non-Executive Director; he brings over 32 years of banking, risk management and sustainable finance experience.

Colombo's ASPI rose 0.25% (49.77 pts) to 19,972.79, led by banks with NDB up LKR 3.50 on heavy turnover (NDB turnover ~LKR 4.49bn). John Keells was the top negative contributor, trading down LKR 0.40.

Sri Lanka stocks rose for a second session as a ceasefire held, with the ASPI up 2% to 17,535 and the S&P SL20 up 1.66% to 5,219. The index gain was led by John Keells, Browns Investments, SMB Finance, Industrial Asphalts and Co-operative Insurance, while turnover rose to Rs 5.9bn.

SMB Finance PLC (SEMB.N0000) reported a record profit before tax of Rs.199.7 million for FY2024 and surpassed a Rs.6 billion total asset base. Profit after tax rose 26% to Rs.151.0m, net operating income grew 31% and loans advanced 21% year‑on‑year.