📉 CSE Opens Week in Red: ASPI Down 1.57% Amid Interest Rate Concerns

• Market Performance: The Colombo stock market started the week down, driven by rising interest rates and Middle East tensions. Only 23 stocks advanced while 227 declined. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) dropped 1.57% (-340.85 points) to 21,403.28, and the S&P SL20 fell 0.92% (-55.58 points) to 5,968.42. • Turnover & Trading: Daily market turnover reached over Rs. 2.6 Bn with 88.15 million shares traded. High Net Worth (HNW) and institutional participation remained strong, driven by crossings in John Keells Holdings (JKH). Retail trading remained at average levels. Foreign investors recorded a net outflow of Rs. 54.1 Mn. • Sector & Stock Breakdowns: • Capital Goods: Led market turnover with a 37% share, though the sector index lost 1.02%. JKH dipped 20 cents to Rs. 19.80, and ACL Cables dropped Rs. 2.20 to Rs. 94.60. • Banking: Second largest turnover contributor (collectively with Food & Beverage at 31%); the sector index fell 0.61%. Hatton National Bank rose 75 cents to Rs. 392, while Commercial Bank lost 50 cents to Rs. 201.75. • Top Drags: The primary negative contributors dragging down the ASPI were Melstacorp (MELS), Bukit Darah (BUKI), Hayleys (HAYL), Sampath Bank (SAMP), and LOLC. Retail interest was visible in apparel & textiles via Hela Apparel Holdings, alongside ACME Printing and Citrus Leisure.