News & market updates

Colombo market rebounded with the ASPI up 0.35% to 22,174.74 and turnover of Rs.13.3 billion amid upbeat sentiment after the IMF's positive review; the banking sector led turnover (48%) and Commercial Bank, DIMO, Bukit Darah, Carson and Wind were among top contributors.

Colombo market rally extended to a 14th session as the ASPI closed at 22,094.89, topping 22,000 for the first time with turnover around Rs.9.7–9.8 billion. Banking and diversified financials led turnover (Commercial Bank, Pan Asia, Lanka Credit & Business Finance among top contributors) while foreigners were net sellers.

Colombo Stock Exchange extended its rally to a 13th session as the ASPI rose 0.46% (100.49 pts) to 21,951.79 with turnover of Rs.6.5bn and foreign net inflows of Rs.46.4m. Banking, capital goods and food/beverage counters led activity, with Melstacorp, Access Engineering, Union Bank, RCL and NDB among top contributors.

Colombo bourse rose as the ASPI gained 0.86% (closing at 21,521) with turnover of Rs. 9.29 billion, led by banking-sector activity and top contributors SAMP, CTC, CFIN, SFCL and DIST. Nations Trust Bank fell, while Jetwing Symphony, Ceylon Hotels and Hemas recorded gains.

Colombo bourse extended its rally into a sixth session as the ASPI rose 0.26% (55.97 pts) to 21,282.84, with turnover of Rs.6.56bn and net foreign inflows of Rs.61.4m. Diversified financials led turnover and NBFIs anchored the move; top contributors included HAYL, CALH, BIL, DIMO and CCS.

Colombo stocks extended a five-session rally as ASPI rose 0.67% (141.78 pts) to 21,226.87 with turnover Rs.8.1bn and foreigners net buyers of Rs.584.1m. Capital Goods and Banking led turnover, with JKH, CTHR, SFCL and COMB among top contributors while SIRA fell sharply.

ASPI fell 0.6% (128 pts) to 20,642 on turnover of Rs.6.5bn, led by Prime Lands Residencies (Rs.1.9bn), Chevron Lubricants and Sierra Cables; banks and blue-chip names including HNB, JKH and DFCC were top negative contributors.

Colombo bourse rose for a second day as the ASPI gained 139.82 points to close at 20,753.21, with turnover at about Rs.7.4 billion boosted by several crossings. Selected Construction and Materials counters and names such as Access Engineering, Ceylon Tobacco and Cargills were among top contributors.

ASPI rose 143.73 points to 20,714.80 as turnover hit Rs.11.1bn, led by banking stocks and conglomerates with top contributors JKH, HNB, SAMP, BUKI and NDB. Banking accounted for 39% of turnover and foreign investors were net sellers of Rs.1.1bn.

ASPI fell 0.34% to 19,718 as profit-taking and net foreign outflows of Rs.145.4m weighed on the Colombo bourse; turnover was Rs.3.3bn, led by capital goods and banking stocks.

ASPI crossed 18,000 to close at 18,026 as both indices rose about 7% for June, with turnover of Rs. 6.38bn led by LFIN, AEL, JKH, CFIN and SAMP.

ASPI rose 1% (205 pts) to a record 17,740 as turnover hit Rs.6.85bn. Diversified Financials led activity (20% of turnover) with Food, Beverage & Tobacco and Capital Goods also active; HNB Finance, Sunshine, Hemas and Dipped Products were among the top gainers.

Union Bank of Colombo (UBC.N0000) posted Rs.285 million profit before tax for 1Q ended 31 Mar 2025, with net loans up 14% YoY and total assets of Rs.161 billion. Group PBT was Rs.329 million; stage-3 impairment ratio fell to 11.0%, deposits were Rs.106 billion and CAR 14.33%.

Union Bank of Colombo PLC posted a profit before taxes of LKR 285 million for Q1 2025. Net loans rose 14% YoY and total assets increased 10% to LKR 161 billion, stage 3 impairments fell to 11.0%, and Group PBT was LKR 329 million.

Colombo market fell after announcement of a 44% US reciprocal tariff, with ASPI down 1.8% to 15,373 and S&P SL20 down over 2%; banking sector led losses and SAMP, COMB and HNB were among top decliners. Turnover was Rs. 3.1bn and foreign investors were net buyers of Rs. 169.7m.

Colombo bourse fell as the ASPI dropped 1.01% to 16,566 with turnover of Rs.2.07bn and foreigners closing as net sellers. CINS and JKH were among the main negatives while SAMP and GUAR were top positives; banking led turnover (29%) and capital goods plus food & beverage accounted for 33%.

Fitch upgraded the national long-term ratings of 10 Sri Lankan non-bank financial institutions and affirmed eight after recalibrating the national scale; notable upgrades include Central Finance, L B Finance, HNB Finance, Merchant Bank, Abans Finance and Singer Finance, while UB Finance was affirmed with a negative outlook.

Colombo market notched a 21st consecutive gain as the ASPI rose 1% (148 pts) to 15,168 on turnover of Rs.5.5bn, led by banking-sector activity; top contributors and heavy turnover included Hayleys, Central Finance, C T Holdings, Sampath, Richard Pieris, Commercial Bank, Royal Ceramics and Browns Investments.

NDB Investment Bank (part of the NDB Group) was named Euromoney's 'Best Investment Bank in Sri Lanka' for the 13th consecutive year. The release notes NDBIB's recent role arranging a USD 14m debt raise for Hela Apparel and advising on IPOs including UB Finance and Cargills Bank.

NDB Investment Bank (part of the NDB Group) was named 'Best Investment Bank in Sri Lanka' by Euromoney for the 13th consecutive year. The release notes NDBIB's 2023 transactions, including arranging $14m debt for Hela Apparel and advising on IPOs for UB Finance and Cargills Bank.

UB Finance (UBF.N0000) reopened its expanded and refurbished Rathnapura branch at No.105/1, Colombo Road on 4 November. The branch offers deposits, leasing, hire purchase, term and gold loans and factoring services; UB Finance is a subsidiary of Union Bank.

Fitch affirmed UB Finance PLC's national long-term rating at 'BB(lka)' but revised the outlook to Negative. Fitch cited UBF's weak financial profile—poor asset quality, weak earnings, thin capital buffers and deposit concentration—and linked the outlook to parent Union Bank of Colombo PLC's Negative outlook.