📉 CSE Ends in Red Amid Heavy Foreign Selling

The Colombo Stock Exchange extended its bearish run for the third consecutive day, closing lower due to profit-taking and significant foreign outflows amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. • Overall Market Figures All Share Price Index (ASPI): Down 0.03% (-7.19 points) to close at 21,417.80. S&P SL20 Index: Down 0.14% (-8.38 points) to close at 5,988.62. Market Turnover: Recorded at Rs. 1.22 Bn with over 56.93 Mn shares traded. Foreign Participation: Net sellers with a heavy net outflow of Rs. 36.7 Mn. High-net-worth (HNW) investor participation remained low, while retail interest was average. • Sector & Stock Breakdown Banking Sector: Led daily turnover with a 27% share, though the sector index lost 0.31%. Main negative ASPI contributors included DIAL, HNB, CFIN, COMB, and BUKI. Sampath Bank closed flat at Rs. 137. Materials Sector: Contributed heavily to turnover, with the sector index rising 0.71%. Haycarb gained Rs. 8.50 to close at Rs. 175.75, and Chevron Lubricants appreciated by 25 cents to Rs. 198.25. Capital Goods: Along with Materials, collectively contributed 37% to turnover. John Keells Holdings rose 10 cents to Rs. 19.90, and Hayleys gained 50 cents to close at Rs. 230.50.