News & market updates

Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI was up 0.06% at midday (13.19 pts to 21,221.29) with market turnover LKR 358.7m and Food, Beverage & Tobacco leading turnover at LKR 201.3m. Positive contributors included John Keells, Dialog, Aitken Spence and Browns; HNB, DFCC and Ceylon Grain were top negatives; Tess Agro listed 125,000,000 shares effective July 21, 2026.

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).

Colombo bourse dipped as the ASPI fell 0.21% to 23,870.07 despite net foreign inflows of Rs.37 million after 22 days of outflows. Capital goods led turnover; John Keells and Hayleys rose while Sampath, Colombo Dockyard, Dialog, DFCC and Commercial Bank were among the negative contributors.

Tess Agro PLC commissioned a 380 kWp rooftop Solar PV project at its Kerawalapitiya warehouse, connected to the national grid on 15 Jan 2026 after a Rs. 60 million investment. The installation raises the company's total Solar PV capacity to 460 kWp and aims to cut energy costs and emissions.

The ASPI closed at 23,992.11, up 0.13% (31.95 pts) after hitting an intraday high of 24,068.22, with turnover over Rs.6.9bn and foreign net outflows of Rs.480.2m. Capital goods led turnover (Rs.1.91bn) with John Keells and ACL Cables among top contributors while market breadth remained weak.

Tess Agro PLC's board resolved to issue 2.5 million unsecured debentures at Rs.100 each to raise Rs.250m (6% p.a., five-year tenure) and 100 million warrants exercisable at Rs.2.20 per share. Proceeds will be used to repay borrowings and fund working capital and capex; warrants could raise up to Rs.220m if exercised, subject to shareholder and CSE approvals.

ASPI ended marginally up at 23,960.16 (+0.03%) on turnover of over Rs.5.2bn. Capital goods led turnover (31%) driven by Colombo Dockyard and John Keells, while diversified financials and banks contributed 21% and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.128.2m.

Bairaha Farms PLC (BFL.N0000) marks its 50th anniversary, cites domestic growth and export progress with exports to the Maldives and conditional clearance for Singapore, and reports 2024 sector figures (chicken +10% to 258,540 mt; day-old chicks +13% to ~188m). The piece also flags challenges from reliance on imported feed (maize/soy) and high import levies that affect competitiveness.

Colombo market opened lower as the ASPI fell 0.10% to 22,788.79; major movers included Colombo Dockyard (DOCK +24.20%) and Ceylon Hospitals (CHL +25.64%), while C T Holdings, Central Finance and Richard Pieris were among the session's laggards.

Bairaha Farms said poultry prices rose in Q3 2025 and it posted a net profit of Rs 427m for the quarter versus a Rs 109m loss a year earlier; its feed milling unit saw reduced profitability due to high-priced, low-quality local maize that cut broiler weights and tightened supply.

Tess Agro PLC's board proposed reducing stated capital from Rs. 671m to Rs. 263m to write off Rs. 408m of accumulated losses, subject to shareholder approval at an EGM. The restructuring would leave Rs. 53.6m of accumulated losses and aims to improve negative equity and fundraising/dividend capacity.

Colombo Stock Exchange rose as the ASPI gained 0.57% to 21,085, led by Sierra Cables and diversified conglomerates; market turnover was Rs 6.5bn with Sierra Cables contributing Rs 1.2bn. Top index contributors included John Keells, Hayleys, Sierra Cables, Melstacorp and Aitken Spence; net foreign inflow was Rs 58.21m.

Colombo's ASPI hit an all-time high, closing at 21,062 (+65) on turnover of Rs.13.2bn with net foreign selling of Rs.1bn. John Keells and Commercial Bank led turnover while investor interest shifted toward property names such as Prime Lands Residencies and RIL Property.

The ASPI rose about 7% in August, closing the month at 20,997.36 after a 197.10-point (0.95%) gain on the final day. Top contributors included Ceylinco Holdings, Senkadagala Finance and Richard Pieris; turnover was around Rs.7.4bn, led by consumer services and financials, with foreign net inflows of Rs.184.1m.

Colombo market closed marginally up as the ASPI rose 0.2% (47 points) on turnover of Rs.7.46 bn while the S&P SL20 fell 0.2%. Dialog, Ambeon, Bukit Darah, Carson Cumberbatch and LOLC led gains, with EB Creasy, Sierra Cables, LVL Energy Fund and Raigam Wayamba also active and recording price gains.

Colombo market slipped for a third day as the ASPI closed at 15,544 (down ~12 points) while the S&P SL20 rose 0.05%; turnover was Rs.1.09bn, 57% below the monthly average. Food, Beverage & Tobacco led turnover, banking sentiment stayed weak; JKH, SUN, CCS rose while CFIN, DFCC and MELS lagged.

ASPI fell 1.7% to 14,876 with the S&P SL20 down 2.4%; turnover was Rs.3 billion and there was a Rs.1 billion net foreign inflow led by John Keells (Rs.665m). Banking names (Sampath, Commercial Bank, Hatton) and Hayleys were among the main laggards while capital goods drove turnover.

The ASPI fell 2.3% for the first week of February despite a 1.38% rebound on Friday; weekly turnover averaged Rs.4.16bn and Friday turnover was Rs.2bn. Ceylinco, Melstacorp, John Keells and Aitken Spence were among Friday's top contributors, while Watawala, Seylan Bank and SMB Finance were key detractors.

Colombo market ended a seven-day winning streak as the ASPI fell 8 points and the S&P SL20 slipped 4 points, with turnover of Rs.1.86 billion. Banking stocks led turnover (34%) while quarterly results boosted PARQ, CONN and JETS, Sampath and Pan Asia were active, and Vidullanka announced an interim dividend of Rs.0.20 per share.