📈 CSE Opens Week in Red Amid Foreign Net Selling

The Colombo stock market started the week on a negative note as investor caution and significant foreign outflows dampened sentiment. Despite a brief intraday gain of 108 points, the benchmark indices succumbed to late-session selling pressure. • Overall Figures • ASPI: 23,754.26 (Down 0.20% | -47.70 points) • S&P SL20: 6,608.68 (Down 0.09% | -6.04 points) • Total Turnover: Rs. 6.3 Bn • Foreign Interest: Net outflow of Rs. 1.4 Bn (Net sellers) • Sector Breakdowns • Food, Beverage & Tobacco: Led daily activity with a 28% share of turnover (Rs. 1.79 Bn). Lanka Milk Foods (LMF.N) was a standout, gaining 9.08% on Rs. 0.85 Bn turnover. • Materials & Capital Goods: Collectively contributed 34% to total market turnover. • Diversified Holdings: Index-heavy JKH was among the top negative contributors to the ASPI. • Market Highlights • Cumulative earnings for 78 companies released so far for the December quarter reached Rs. 49.55 Bn, reflecting a healthy 18.02% YoY growth. • High net worth and retail participation remained strong, though retail investors engaged in profit-taking on penny stocks. • Large-scale "crossings" accounted for 36% (Rs. 2.28 Bn) of the total turnover, with CIC.N recording a major transaction of Rs. 0.87 Bn.