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View all(65)📈 CSE Extends Recovery to Second Session as Sentiment Improves
• Overall Market Performance: The Colombo Stock Exchange continued its upward trend for a second straight session, supported by easing Middle East geopolitical tensions. • ASPI: Up 0.20% (+41.92 pts) to close at 21,229.14 • S&P SL20: Up 0.21% (+12.66 pts) to close at 5,961.40 • Market Breadth: Positive (124 gainers vs. 84 losers) • Turnover & Foreign Activity: • Market Turnover: Over Rs. 2.00 Bn (~87.5 Mn shares traded) • Foreign Flow: Net selling outflow of over Rs. 1.00 Bn • Sector & Stock Highlights: • Retailing Sector dominated turnover, contributing 51% of daily activity. • Banking and Capital Goods sectors collectively accounted for 24% of turnover. • Top ASPI Contributors: Colombo Dockyard, John Keells Holdings, Commercial Bank, ACL Cables, and NDB Bank. • Market Sentiment: Market gains were largely driven by buying interest in selected blue-chip counters, backed by high-net-worth and institutional participation, while retail activity remained at average levels.
📈 CSE Clear Marks 1st Anniversary with LKR 1,188 Bn in Settled Trades
• Milestone Overview: CSE Clear (Pvt) Ltd, Sri Lanka's first Central Counterparty (CCP) and a fully owned subsidiary of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), completed its inaugural year of operations on 28th July 2026. • Key Operational Figures: - Successfully cleared and settled LKR 1,188 Bn worth of equity market transactions. - Processed over 8 million trades with high operational reliability. • Financial & Market Impact: - Replaced counterparty risk between buyers and sellers with a central clearing framework, modernizing Sri Lanka's securities market post-trade infrastructure to align with global standards (PFMI). - Bolstered capital market stability by implementing a comprehensive margining framework and establishing a Contributory Guarantee Fund to manage defaults. • Future Outlook: - Aims to enhance operational efficiency through greater automation, expand post-trade capabilities, and support new financial market products to drive long-term investor confidence.
## 📉 Global Oil Prices Fall Amid US-Iran De-escalation
• Market Figures: Brent crude futures dropped $1.47 (-1.66%) to US$ 86.89 per barrel; U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell $1.45 (-1.76%) to US$ 81.16 per barrel, marking both benchmarks' lowest levels since July 20. • Geopolitical Shifts: Prices declined following signals of a potential diplomatic resolution between the U.S. and Iran, reducing immediate fears of critical energy flow disruptions. • Supply & Demand Pressures: Net crude exports through the Strait of Hormuz declined to 2.9 million barrels per day in the week ending July 24, down from 5.9 million the previous week, while Caspian Pipeline Consortium resumed Black Sea oil loadings.
📈 Bond Yields Broadly Steady Ahead of Major Auctions & Inflation Data
Sri Lanka’s secondary bond market began the week on a subdued note as investors adopted a wait-and-see approach ahead of key debt auctions and the upcoming July CCPI inflation release. • Market Activity & Yields: Trading volumes were mostly supported by block trades as higher yields drew renewed buying interest. Selected maturity yields: • 2026: 15.12.26 traded at 10.00% • 2029: 15.09.29 traded at 11.23% • 2030: 01.07.30 (11.60%), 01.08.30 (11.62%–11.66%), 15.10.30 (11.64%–11.68%) • 2033: 15.01.33 traded at 12.25% • Upcoming Auctions: • Treasury Bills: Rs. 140 Bn offered today across 91-day (Rs. 60 Bn), 182-day (Rs. 50 Bn), and 364-day (Rs. 30 Bn) tenors—below estimated upcoming maturities of Rs. 164.11 Bn. • Treasury Bonds: Rs. 250 Bn scheduled for Thursday across 2031, 2034, 2036, and 2037 maturities. • Previous T-Bill Recap: Last week raised Rs. 154 Bn in total. Weighted average yields dropped on 91-day (-18 bps to 9.95%, dipping below 10% for the first time in 7 weeks) and 182-day (-3 bps to 10.24%), while 364-day yields held flat at 10.20%. • Liquidity & Forex: • Net Liquidity Surplus: Stood at Rs. 153.80 Bn. Call money and Repo rates averaged 9.00% and 9.03%. • USD/LKR: Spot ended steady at Rs. 336.20/336.30, with daily traded volume at $ 48.05 Mn.
CSE Opens Week Higher as Lower Oil Prices Boost Market Sentiment 📈
• Market Indices & Movement • ASPI edged up +0.07% (+14.38 pts) to close at 21,187.22, despite paring back an early peak of 21,310.55. • S&P SL20 gained +0.10% (+6.18 pts) to settle at 5,948.74. • Breadth was positive: 113 gainers vs. 90 decliners. • Turnover & Foreign Flows • Total Turnover stood at over Rs. 2 Bn with 65.1 Mn+ shares traded. • Net Foreign Inflow reached Rs. 15.7 Mn. High-net-worth investors led turnover with robust retail engagement. • Sector Breakdown • Capital goods: Led market activity with a 42% turnover share; sector index rose +0.77% driven by John Keells Holdings (+Rs. 0.20 to Rs. 19.80) and Hayleys (flat at Rs. 225.00). • Banking: Second-largest contributor at 39% (combined with food, beverage & tobacco); sector index dipped -0.03%. Sampath Bank dropped Rs. 0.25 to Rs. 136.75, Hatton National Bank gained Re. 1.00 to Rs. 386.00, and Nations Trust Bank fell Rs. 0.25 to Rs. 305.00. • Key Drivers • Sentiment was bolstered by falling global oil prices, lower input cost expectations, and easing US-Iran tensions.
📈 CSE Turnover Crosses Rs. 2.07 Bn as Market Indices Post Slight Gains
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed slightly higher today (27 July), backed by strong daily turnover following a drop in global oil prices linked to easing Middle East tensions. Key highlights from the trading session: • Market Indices: The All Share Price Index (ASPI) gained 14.48 points (+0.07%) to close at 21,187.22, after rising over 100 points in early trade. The S&P SL20 Index edged up 6.18 points to end at 5,948.74. • Turnover & Key Movers: Total market turnover reached Rs. 2.07 Bn. The rally was heavily driven by the conglomerate and banking sectors: • John Keells Holdings: Rs. 661 Mn (including crossings) • Sampath Bank: Rs. 139 Mn • HNB: Rs. 134 Mn • Hayleys: Rs. 132 Mn • Nations Trust Bank: Rs. 131 Mn • Economic Context: Market sentiment was supported by falling global fuel costs, reinforcing the strong inverse correlation between oil prices and local equity performance.
Secondary Bond Market Yields Edge Up; T-Bill Yields Drop Further 📈
• Government Securities & Primary Auction Selling pressure pushed secondary bond yields higher across longer tenors amid geopolitical tensions and monetary policy updates. However, T-bill yields declined for the second straight week: - 91-day yield fell 18 bps to 9.95% (below 10% for the first time in 7 weeks). - 182-day yield dropped 3 bps to 10.24%. - 364-day yield remained unchanged at 10.20%. - Total auction acceptance reached Rs. 154 Bn against the initial Rs. 140 Bn offer. • Secondary Market Yield Ranges - Short-Term: 2026 maturities traded at 9.80%–10.16%; 2027 tenors moved between 10.30%–10.40%. - Medium-Term: 2028 tenors ranged from 10.70%–10.80%; 2029 tenors traded between 11.10%–11.25%. - Long-Term: 2030 maturities ranged from 11.53%–11.65%; 2031–2034 tenors traded between 11.95%–12.25%. • Foreign Portfolio Inflows Rupee treasuries registered a net weekly inflow of Rs. 5.83 Bn (7th consecutive week of net inflows). Total foreign holdings surged to a three-year high of Rs. 182.39 Bn. • Liquidity & Foreign Exchange - Net market liquidity surplus stood at Rs. 163.07 Bn. - Call Money and Repo rates averaged 9.00% and 9.02% respectively. - USD/LKR spot exchange rate closed steady at Rs. 336.25/336.35, with daily average traded volumes reaching US$ 114.73 Mn.
CSE Closes Week Down 1.08% Amid Brief Mid-Week Recovery 📉
• Overall Figures: • Benchmark ASPI declined 1.09% (-232.67 pts) weekly to close at 21,172.74. • Active S&P SL20 fell 0.95% (-57.12 pts) over the week to end at 5,942.56. • Market turnover exceeded Rs. 2.45 Bn with over 93.5 Mn shares traded. • Foreign investors remained net buyers with a net inflow of Rs. 1.07 Bn. • Sector Breakdown: • Retailing sector led daily turnover, contributing 42%. • Banking and capital goods sectors collectively accounted for 33% of turnover. • Market Activity: • 139 counters closed in red against 76 in green. • ASPI decline was primarily led by JKH, HNB, CINS, GRAN, and BREW. • Activity was bolstered by high-net-worth investor participation and a large negotiated crossing in United Motors Lanka (UML).
📈 Global Oil Prices Surge Amid Supply Chokepoints
• Market Figures: Brent futures eased 0.72% to US$ 99.97 a barrel (heading for a 13.5% weekly gain), while West Texas Intermediate dropped 0.76% to US$ 91.49 a barrel (on track for a 10.9% weekly rise). • Supply Disruptions: Red Sea shipping attacks by Houthi forces on oil tankers threaten the closure of the critical Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint, following a declared naval blockade on Saudi Arabia. • Production Impacts: Kazakhstan temporarily scaled back output after suspected Ukrainian drone attacks forced the closure of its main Black Sea export terminal at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium. • Geopolitical Tensions: U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to hold Iran responsible, exacerbating fears of constrained global energy supplies and heightened transport costs.
📈 Sri Lanka Secondary Bond Market Yields Hold Steady Amid Subdued Trading
• Financial Services & Money Market Overview: Yields in the secondary bond market remained broadly steady, consolidating across the yield curve. Overall activity was subdued, though key block transactions were executed across several maturities: • 15.12.26 maturity: traded at 10.05% • 15.09.27 maturity: traded at 10.36%-10.39% • 01.07.28 & 15.12.28 maturities: traded at 10.70%-10.79% and 10.80% • 15.09.29, 15.10.29 & 15.12.29 maturities: traded between 11.20% and 11.25% • 01.07.30 maturity: traded at 11.53%-11.55% • Liquidity & Central Bank Operations: • Net money market liquidity surplus recorded at Rs. 136.54 Bn. • Rs. 129.04 Bn deposited at CBSL's Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) of 8.25%. • Central Bank drained Rs. 7.50 Bn via overnight Repo auction at a weighted average rate of 8.74% (against an offered Rs. 60.00 Bn). • Overnight call money and Repo weighted average rates stood at 9.01% and 9.02% respectively. • Foreign Exchange Market: • The USD/LKR spot rate closed slightly higher at Rs. 336.15/336.25, appreciating from the prior close of Rs. 336.25/336.35. • Total USD/LKR traded volume reached $ 104.35 Mn on July 22.
📈 CSE Extends Recovery as ASPI Gains 0.24%
• Market Indices & Overview: The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) extended its rebound amid low investor participation. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) rose 0.24% (+49.81 pts) to close at 21,199.37, while the S&P SL20 gained 0.22% (+13.25 pts) to end at 5,945.87. Market breadth was slightly positive with 102 advancers versus 100 decliners. • Turnover & Foreign Flow: Daily turnover reached nearly Rs. 1.1 Bn across 37.7 Mn shares traded. Foreign investors remained net sellers, recording a net outflow of Rs. 188.6 Mn. • Sector Highlights: - Capital Goods: Led daily turnover (29% contribution), driven by John Keells Holdings (closed flat at Rs. 19.60). Sector index rose 0.42%. - Banking: Second highest turnover contributor. Sector index gained 0.43%, supported by National Development Bank (+Rs. 1.75 to Rs. 109.25) and Sampath Bank (+25 cents to Rs. 137.00). - Food, Beverage & Tobacco: Combined with Banking to contribute 36% of overall turnover. • Key Drivers & Activity: The primary positive ASPI drivers were Hatton National Bank (HNB), Ceylon Tea Services (CARS), Ceylinco Insurance (CINS), NDB, and Tokyo Cement (TKYO). High-net-worth and institutional interest was centered on John Keells Holdings, Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka, and HNB.
📈 Global Crude Tops $ 100 Amid Middle East Escalation
• Market Impact Brent crude briefly breached US$ 100 per barrel for the first time since May before paring back slightly, remaining at its highest level in nearly two months. • Core Driver The price surge was triggered by recent attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, escalating concerns over global oil supply stability and maritime safety. • Key Maritime Routes Heightened geopolitical conflict threatens critical trade chokepoints, specifically the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, increasing risk for global crude shipments. • National Economic Context Sustained oil price spikes and supply chain bottlenecks present significant risk to fuel-importing nations, placing pressure on national petroleum import costs, freight expenses, and broader energy inflation.