📉 CSE Drops to 23-Week Low Amid Macro Concerns

• Market Performance: The All Share Price Index (ASPI) fell 0.52% (-109.98 pts) to 21,023.43, while the S&P SL20 dropped 0.38% (-22.33 pts) to 5,924.96. Market breadth was heavily negative (152 losers vs. 50 gainers). • Drivers: Broad-based selling persisted due to rising domestic interest rates and sustained global crude oil prices exceeding $100/barrel. • Turnover & Foreign Activity: Total turnover reached over Rs. 1.3 Bn (55.4M shares traded), driven mostly by high-net-worth investors. Foreign investors remained net sellers with an outflow of over Rs. 213 Bn (provisional data). • Sector Breakdown: • Capital Goods: Led turnover with a 21% share (sector index -0.30%). Key stocks: Hayleys (-Rs. 3.50 to Rs. 224.00) and John Keells Holdings (+10 cents to Rs. 19.20). • Food, Beverage & Tobacco: Second highest turnover contributor (sector index -0.47%). • Banking & Others: Banking along with food & beverage collectively made up 34% of turnover. Major movers included Commercial Bank (-Re. 1.00 to Rs. 202.50) and Nations Trust Bank (-Rs. 2.50 to Rs. 304.75). • Top Drag: Main negative contributors to the ASPI were Melstacorp (MELS), Dialog Axiata (DIAL), Hayleys (HAYL), Ceylon Cold Stores/Brewery (BREW), and RIL Property (RIL).