CSE Opens February on a Down Note 📉

The Colombo Stock Exchange started the month in the red, with benchmark indices retreating despite maintaining healthy market participation levels. • Overall Market Performance • ASPI: Dropped 130.63 points (0.55%) to close at 23,681.68. • S&P SL20: Fell by 43.95 points (0.66%) to settle at 6,597.20. • Turnover: Recorded at Rs. 5.17 Bn (approx. US$ 16.7 Mn), a decrease from the previous session's Rs. 9.19 Bn. • Sector & Stock Highlights • Capital Goods: Emerged as the most active sector, contributing Rs. 2.1 Bn to the daily turnover. • Banking: Commercial Bank (down 1.0%) announced plans to raise Rs. 20 Bn via Basel III-compliant debentures. • Manufacturing & Industrials: Colombo Dockyard saw a sharp decline of 5.97% to Rs. 145.00 following recent stake acquisition news. • Deltas: Major negative contributors included Ceylinco Holdings, Melstacorp, and Commercial Bank. • Investor Sentiment • Foreign investors were net sellers (Rs. 453.1 Mn), while domestic participation remained the primary driver of liquidity. • The downturn follows a strong January where the ASPI gained 5.25%, suggesting a period of short-term profit-taking as the market enters the new month. _Note: Based on provisional market data for February 02, 2026._