📉 CSE Ends in Red Amid Middle East Tensions

The Colombo Bourse closed lower today as geopolitical uncertainties outweighed positive domestic developments from the IMF. • Market Performance: The ASPI declined by 0.33% (-73.06 points) to end at 21,844.54, while the S&P SL20 dropped 0.24% (-14.32 points) to 6,076.18. • Turnover & Volume: Daily turnover reached Rs. 2.97 Bn with 133.3 Mn shares traded. • Foreign Activity: Net foreign outflow stood at Rs. 221.4 Mn today, contributing to a total weekly net outflow of Rs. 1.9 Bn. • Sector Highlights: Capital Goods led market turnover (30%), followed by Food, Beverage & Tobacco and Banking, which together accounted for 27%. • Key Drivers: Initial losses were triggered by the breach of the US-Iran ceasefire agreement. However, the market saw a partial late-session recovery following news of a staff-level agreement with the IMF on the 5th and 6th reviews of the Extended Fund Facility. • Top Drags: Major negative contributors included CINS, DIAL, JKH, MELS, and CTHR. High Net Worth participation was noted in blue-chip counters despite overall subdued sentiment.