CSE Ends Week in Red Amid Mideast Tensions 📉

The Colombo stock market concluded a volatile four-day trading week in negative territory, failing to recover from a significant mid-week plunge triggered by regional geopolitical conflict. • Overall Market Performance: The All Share Price Index (ASPI) dropped 4.34% (1,032.15 points) during the week to close at 22,701.91. The S&P SL20 followed suit, declining 4.14% (275.22 points) to finish at 6,360.75. • Sector & Stock Impact: Declines were driven primarily by index-heavyweights in the banking and diversified holdings sectors. Key laggards included JKH, HNB, SAMP, HAYL, and MELS. The capital goods sector dominated daily turnover at 31%, followed by insurance and diversified financials at a combined 29%. • Investor Activity: • Foreign Investors: Recorded a net outflow of Rs. 791.2 million for the week, with yesterday’s net selling reaching Rs. 826 million. • High Net Worth (HNW): Activity remained significant, with off-board transactions accounting for 34.6% (Rs. 1.7 Bn) of total turnover. • Top Turnover: Led by ACL (Rs. 924 Mn), CINS (Rs. 624 Mn), and HVA (Rs. 226 Mn). • Market Breadth: Negative sentiment prevailed as 160 decliners outweighed 80 gainers. Total daily turnover remained robust at over Rs. 5 Bn, despite the bearish trend.