News & market updates

The ASPI gained 72 points (+0.5%) to 15,616 as the Colombo market bounced back, led by the capital goods sector. Turnover was about Rs.1.5 billion with net foreign inflows of Rs.35.2m; notable movers included Hemas, John Keells, Browns, Alumex and DFCC.

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.

Colombo market reverted to YTD positive as the ASPI rose 73 points (0.46%) to 16,007, leaving YTD up 0.39%, while foreigners were net sellers of Rs. 282m. Top movers included HAYL and CTC; turnover was Rs. 2.3bn led by Capital Goods and Food, Beverage & Tobacco sectors.

Vallibel Finance (VFIN.N0000) opened two new branches in Kekirawa and Elpitiya. The firm said the branches will offer its suite of products — including leasing, deposits and gold loans — and highlighted its 2021–2023 Best Finance Company awards.

Vallibel Finance PLC surpassed the Rs. 100 billion mark in assets, a major milestone in its growth. The company also opened 12 new branches in 2024, completed a new corporate office and was named 'Best Finance Company' by The Global Economics for three consecutive years.

Colombo market closed with the ASPI up 0.27% at 14,654.26 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.32% to 4,390.12 as profit-taking in banking stocks weighed on the SL20. Top gainers included Ceylon Cold Stores, PGP Glass, John Keells, Dipped Products and Lanka IOC; net foreign outflow was Rs 1.4 million.

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.

Vallibel Finance PLC raised Rs. 3 billion via its first listed debenture issue. The five-year debentures carry coupons of 12.95% (Type A) and 13.37% (Type B), and the group reported H1 FY25 consolidated net profit up 24.5% to Rs. 1.1 billion.

Vallibel Finance PLC announced its first listed debenture issue to raise Rs.3 billion via 20 million rated, subordinated, unsecured five-year debentures (option for 10m more), offering Type A 12.95% p.a. (AER 13.37%) semi‑annual and Type B 13.37% p.a. annual; issue opens 20 Nov 2024. In H1 FY25 group consolidated net profit rose 24.5% to Rs.1.1bn and net operating revenue grew 22.7% to Rs.4.96bn.

Vallibel Finance Plc will raise up to Rs3 billion via a listed, rated, subordinated, unsecured 5-year debenture issue at Rs100 each, initially issuing 20 million units with a further 10 million if oversubscribed; the CSE has approved listing in principle and subscription opens Nov 20.

Vallibel Finance (VFIN.N0000) opened new branches in Tangalle and Hingurakgoda. The lender says the expansion improves access to financial services for local communities and leverages its digital infrastructure to deliver customer-centric products such as gold loans, leasing and deposits.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI +0.94% at 12,473 and S&P SL20 +1.55% at 3,720, with turnover Rs 4.7 billion. Crossings in Sampath Bank and Hayleys added over Rs 1.3 billion; net foreign outflow was Rs 39 million, with foreign buying in Sampath and Haycarb and selling in CIC, Hayleys, Vallibel Finance and Dipped Products.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: All Share Index +0.18% to 12,313 and S&P SL20 +0.26% to 3,622, with turnover Rs1.9bn. Renewed investor interest in leasing/finance on a possible vehicle import ban reversal and positive results/crossings at L B Finance and CDB; net foreign outflow Rs87mn.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed mixed: ASPI rose 0.09% to 12,257 while the S&P SL20 fell 0.20% to 3,607, with turnover of 1.8 billion and a net foreign inflow of 139 million rupees. Top turnover stocks included John Keells, Citrus Leisure, Dialog and Commercial Bank, with foreign buying noted in JKH, Commercial Bank, Sampath, Citrus Leisure and Windforce.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed down, the All Share Index fell 0.16% to 12,152 with turnover Rs 2.1bn and a net foreign outflow of Rs 339m; top foreign buying included Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank, ACL Cables, Melstacorp and Elpitiya Plantations, and Agarapatana Plantations suspended trading after announcing a Rs1 dividend.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower, with the All Share Index down 0.33% to 10,801 and the S&P SL20 down 0.32% to 3,035 on turnover of 1.4 billion. Top turnover names included Hemas, John Keells and Commercial Bank, there was net foreign inflow of 11.39 million amid continued selling pressure.

ASPI fell 4.7% and the S&P SL20 lost 6.3% last week amid election-related bearishness, with banking and blue-chip counters (HNB, JKH, CTC, RICH, VFIN) dragging the market; Renuka Agri Foods saw a large off-board block and price rise.

Ranjith Sepala Dahanayake was appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Vallibel Finance PLC. He brings over four decades of legal experience and joined the board of Sathosa Motors PLC as an Independent Director in 2018.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower as All Share Index fell 0.08% to 11,494 and S&P SL20 fell 0.02% to 3,300, with differing informal election polls weighing on sentiment. Turnover was 580 million with net foreign inflow of 47.8 million; crossings included JKH, TJL and MELS, and Lanka Aluminium declared a Rs1 dividend.

Vallibel Finance (VFIN.N0000) opened three new branches in Medawachchiya, Battaramulla and Nittambuwa to expand its network and improve customer access; the openings were attended by MD Jayantha Rangamuwa.

Colombo Stock Exchange closed higher: ASPI up 0.37% to 11,293 and S&P SL20 up 0.39% to 3,226, with turnover Rs582mn and John Keells (JKH) accounting for Rs160mn. Several banks closed mostly in green; Hayleys Fabric and CIC reported interim profit growth and lower finance costs due to lower interest rates.