CSE ends week on the up

The Colombo stock market managed to close the week on a positive note with improved investor sentiment.

During the week, the ASPI and the S&P SL 20 gained 2% and 2.7% respectively. The active S&P SL20 gained by 0.60% and the benchmark ASPI by 0.81% on Friday. Turnover yesterday was Rs. 2.43 billion involving 125.53 million shares. Turnover during the week averaged Rs. 1.43 billion.

Foreign participation in the market activity remained at subdued levels with foreigners closing as net sellers, with a net outflow of Rs. 103.6 million.

First Capital said the Colombo Bourse yesterday extended its bullish momentum, lifted by a global market rebound and renewed investor participation following clearer signals on a potential Sri Lanka-US bilateral trade agreement. 

The ASPI maintained a steady upward trajectory and closed in the green at 15,742, marking a gain of 126 points. LOLC, RCL, NDB, SUN and MELS emerged as the top positive contributors to the index. Investor sentiment and confidence strengthened as both retail and HNW segments engaged in an active trading session, reflected by a high volume of trades and increased crossings after over a week. 

The turnover stood at Rs. 2.4 billion, marking a 1.4% decrease from the monthly average of Rs. 2.5 billion. The Capital Goods sector led yesterday’s turnover with a 31% share, followed by the Food, Beverage and Tobacco sector at 26% and the Diversified Financial sector at 11%. 



Asia Securities said building upon Thursday’s momentum, the indices closed in green yesterday with the ASPI gaining 126 points (+0.8%), while the S&P SL20 index gaining 28 points (+0.6%), supported by price gains in DIPD (+3.6%), SUN (+3.5%), LOLC (+1.8%), and BIL (+1.3%). 

Moreover, investors showed increased interest in plantation sector stocks like AGPL (+14.3%) and WATA (+3.9%), along with construction sector stocks such as PARQ (+7.0%), AEL (+2.1%), and SIRA (+1.2%) during the session. 

Turnover amounted to Rs. 2.4 billion (previous session-Rs. 1.5 billion) mainly led by JKH (Rs. 284 million), SUN (Rs. 177 million), and AEL (Rs. 161 million). LOLC (+8 points), RCL (+5 points), and NDB (+5 points) came in as the major index movers for the day. The market breadth was positive with 150 price gainers and 55 decliners.

NDB Securities said high net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in John Keells Holdings, Hemas Holdings and Access Engineering. Mixed interest was observed in Sunshine Holdings, Swisstek and Agarapatana Plantations, whilst retail interest was noted in Nation Lanka Finance, Marawila Resorts and Hela Apparel Holdings. 

The Capital Goods sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to John Keells Holdings, Access Engineering and Hemas Holdings) whilst the sector index gained 0.85%. The share price of John Keells Holdings increased by 10 cents, to close at Rs. 20.10. The share price of Access Engineering moved up by 80 cents (2.06%) to close at Rs. 39.70. The share price of Hemas Holdings recorded a gain of 50 cents (0.42%) to close at Rs. 120. The Food, Beverage and Tobacco sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to Sunshine Holdings and Agarapatana Plantations), whilst the sector index increased by 1.60%. The share price of Sunshine Holdings gained 80 cents to close at Rs. 23.40. The share price of Agarapatana Plantations appreciated by Rs. 2.10 (14.29%) to close at Rs 16.80.