News & market updates

Sri Lanka stocks fell, with the ASPI down 1.01% to 16,566.27 as investors awaited next week's government budget; turnover was low at Rs 2.07 billion and net foreign outflows totalled Rs 35.5 million, with financials and capital goods weighing on the market.

Sri Lanka stocks closed 0.6% higher, with the ASPI up 0.57% to 16,550.63, led by capital goods. Banks, construction and food & beverage shares saw notable investor interest; turnover was Rs 5.18bn and there was a net foreign outflow of Rs 126m.

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 closed Friday lower with the ASPI down 108 points (0.64%) to 16,918 and the S&P SL20 off 1.23%; turnover was Rs.7.44bn. Food, Beverage & Tobacco and Banking were top turnover contributors while selected stocks (e.g., Melstacorp, Sierra Cables) saw mixed moves.

Sri Lanka's ASPI fell 0.64% to 16,917.86 in a market correction as SL20 dropped 1.23% and turnover was Rs 7.4bn. Banks led the pullback (HNB -4.0%, NDB -1.34%, DFCC -1.5%, Seylan -0.5%) while Browns Investments, Sierra Cables, John Keells and RIL were among the most active stocks.

Fitch recalibrated Sri Lanka’s national rating scale, upgrading seven non-financial corporates (including Sri Lanka Telecom to AA-(lka), Windforce to A+(lka) and Resus Energy to A-(lka)) and revising Bogawantalawa Tea Estates to BBB+(lka).

Colombo market opened bullish as the ASPI rose ~115 points (0.71%) to 16,373 on turnover of Rs.5.5bn. Banking and Capital Goods led activity with DFCC, HNB, NDB, Teejay Lanka, Sierra Cables, CIC and Ceylon Cold Stores among top contributors.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as ASPI rose 0.71% to 16,373.15, led by banks and capital goods stocks. Heavy volumes included Sierra Cables, Teejay Lanka and LOLC Finance, with Teejay Lanka, NDB, DFCC and Ceylon Cold Stores among top contributors.

Turnover at the Colombo Stock Exchange climbed to a 10-month high of Rs.9.2 billion as the ASPI recorded a 19th consecutive daily gain. Top contributors included Sierra Cables, Hatton National Bank, Royal Ceramics and Access Engineering, with a net foreign outflow of Rs.227 million.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI rose 1.07% to 14,810 and turnover hit Rs9.23bn, the highest since Feb 7. Top contributors included Central Finance, Ceylon Cold Stores, Melstacorp, Access Engineering and Chevron Lubricants; net foreign outflow was Rs226m.

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.30% to 13,228 on turnover of Rs2.3bn, led by retail buying in food, beverage & tobacco and renewed interest in construction. Notable movers included gains in Lion Brewery, Ceylon Cold Stores, Distilleries, Access Engineering and Central Finance, while Sierra Cables fell; net foreign outflow was Rs379mn.

ACL Cables (ACL.N0000) is promoting the proposed SLS 733 Part Two fire‑retardant PVC cable standard as the Sri Lanka Standards Institution invites public comments; the standard aims to set stricter flame‑retardant criteria for cables to improve home safety.

Sierra Cables PLC appointed Harsha Jayatunga as Executive Director/CEO. Jayatunga, CEO since July 2020, is credited with driving operational improvements, international expansion and a credit rating upgrade to A+ alongside several export and quality awards.

Fitch assigned Bogawantalawa Tea Estates PLC a first-time national long-term rating of 'A(lka)' with a Stable Outlook and gave its outstanding senior unsecured debentures the same rating. Fitch cited structural industry decline and cost pressures but noted Bogawantalawa's healthy financial profile and net cash position as buffers.

LOLC Group will make a Rs. 3 billion takeover bid for Sierra Cables after Browns Investments' Iconic Trust raised its stake to 30.42%, triggering the SEC Takeovers and Mergers Code. Browns Investments said it will make a mandatory offer to minority shareholders.