News & market updates

Colombo bourse hit record highs as ASPI rose 197 points (1%) to 17,025, led by banking stocks with Hatton National Bank up to Rs. 360.50 amid share-split rumours. Turnover was Rs. 9.78bn, banking and consumer stocks dominated activity and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs. 565.6m.

Sri Lanka's ASPI rose 1.17% to 17,025.99 as stocks closed up 1.1%, led by gains in HNB, Central Finance, Hayleys, SFCL and LOLC-group names. Turnover was Rs 9.7bn with a net domestic inflow of Rs 565m, while some banks (Sampath, NDB, DFCC) fell.

Ambeon Holdings increased its stake in Seylan Bank to 9.43% by buying 2.5m shares at Rs.79.50–80 (Rs.200m), adding to a prior purchase of 3m shares at Rs.70 (Rs.210m) in late Dec 2024.

Ambeon Holdings increased its stake in Seylan Bank by 0.98% to 8.61% after buying 3 million shares for Rs.210 million. Ambeon Capital and its subsidiaries also recently acquired a 9.02% stake in DFCC Bank.

Ambeon group increased its holdings in Sri Lankan banks: Ambeon Holdings raised its stake in Seylan Bank to 8.61% (up 0.98%) while Ambeon Capital and its subsidiaries acquired a 9.02% stake in DFCC Bank.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI up 0.98% (147.79 pts) to 15,168 and S&P SL20 up 0.82% to 4,535 on turnover of 5.4 billion rupees. Top contributors included Hayleys, Central Finance, C T Holdings and Sampath Bank, with a net foreign outflow of 94 million rupees.

Colombo Stock Exchange extended gains for a 10th day, led by heavy turnover and price rises in Asia Asset Finance (up Rs.4 to Rs.21), Hayleys (up Rs.6.25 to Rs.115.25) and Ambeon Capital (up Rs.3.40 to Rs.22.90).

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI rose 0.77% (105.38 pts) to 13,718 as turnover reached Rs4.4bn. Major contributors were diversified financials, capital goods and food/beverage/tobacco, with heavy volumes and gains in Asia Asset Finance, Ambeon Capital, Hayleys, Central Finance, Lanka IOC and others; Sampath Bank fell and net foreign inflow was Rs47mn.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher as the ASPI hit an all-time high, up 1.29% to 13,511 and the S&P SL20 rose 1.90% to 4,016 on turnover of Rs5.2bn. Banks and bluechips led gains (Commercial Bank, Sampath, John Keells, DFCC, NDB, Lion Brewery) amid bullish flows and nearing debt restructuring.

Colombo bourse ended the week mixed: ASPI rose 24 points (+0.19%) while the S&P SL20 fell over 12 points (-0.3%) on Rs.3.7bn turnover and a net foreign outflow of Rs.381.9m. Key contributors included AHUN, LLUB, SAMP and BIL, with consumer services leading turnover and banks and hotels drawing investor interest.

Ambeon Capital (TAP.N0000) hosted nearly 30 German fund managers on a four-day fact-finding visit to assess listings, private equity and FDI opportunities in Sri Lanka. The €27bn-AUM delegation met the Central Bank governor and is focusing on banking (Ambeon holds 9% in DFCC and Seylan), tourism and IT.

Ambeon Holdings (GREG.N0000) bought a 7.63% stake in Seylan Bank (SEYB.N0000), acquiring 23.274 million shares at Rs.58-60 each. The filing, by parent Ambeon Capital (TAP.N0000), described the purchase as a strategic investment.

Ambeon Holdings acquired a 7.63% stake in Seylan Bank for Rs.1.4 billion, following Ambeon Capital's purchase of 9% of DFCC Bank for Rs.3.3 billion. The piece also notes Ambeon holds a 22.4% stake in Dankotuwa Porcelain and has links to Colombo City Holdings and MillenniumIT.

Ambeon Holdings acquired a 7.63% stake in Seylan Bank PLC for LKR 1.4bn; Ambeon Capital and its subsidiaries also bought 9.02% of DFCC Bank PLC. The transactions expand the Ambeon Group's strategic holdings in the banking sector.

Bank-led rally lifted the ASPI 0.66% as the banking sector drove 63% of turnover with top contributors including Sampath Bank, Hatton National Bank, Richard Pieris, Dipped Products and DFCC. Turnover was Rs.3.6bn and there was a net foreign outflow of Rs.119.7m.

Phantom Investments (Rayynor Silva) bought a 9.75% stake in DFCC Bank (42.2m shares) for Rs.3.58bn at Rs.85/share. The shares were sold by LOLC Investment Holdings; Rayynor, who earlier took ~10% of Sampath Bank, said the DFCC investment is strategic and long term.

Ambeon Capital bought a 9% stake in DFCC Bank for Rs.3.3 billion, calling the acquisition strategic and long-term. The seller was Don and Don Holdings; 38.98m DFCC shares traded at Rs.85 per share on 13 November as part of the transaction.

Colombo market showed a muted response to the NPP landslide, with the ASPI up 0.2% and the S&P SL20 up 0.08% on turnover of Rs.5.5bn; the banking sector led turnover while foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.761.2m.

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.

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.

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 Stock Exchange fell as the All Share Index dropped 1.38% to 10,719 and the S&P SL20 fell 1.69% to 3,006 on turnover of 615 million, with election-month political uncertainty weighing on sentiment.

Colombo Stock Exchange fell, with the All Share Index down 0.36% to 10,869 and the S&P SL20 down 0.38% to 3,058. Turnover was 759 million; top turnover/price moves included Renuka Agri Foods and Sampath Bank (up), HNB, John Keells and Commercial Bank (down), with a net foreign inflow of 0.37 million.