📉 CSE Plummets 1.07% Amid Middle East Conflict Concerns

The Colombo stock market opened the week sharply lower on broad-based selling pressure driven by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Overall Market Figures • ASPI dropped 1.07% (-233.18 points) to close at 21,532.38. • S&P SL20 fell 0.91% (-55.27 points) to end at 6,022.19. • Losers significantly outnumbered gainers by 178 to 41. • Daily market turnover reached over Rs. 1 Bn with 79.7 Mn shares traded. • Foreign sentiment remained negative, recording a net outflow of nearly Rs. 56 Mn. High net worth (HNW) participation was low, while retail interest was above average. Sector Performance & Key Decliners • Banking Sector: Led market turnover with a 27% share but the sector index lost 0.70%. Major decliners pushing the ASPI down included SAMP (down Rs. 1.50 to Rs. 137.25), HNB non-voting (down Rs. 7.75 to Rs. 320), and COMB (down Rs. 2.25 to Rs. 203). • Food, Beverage & Tobacco: Contributed heavily to turnover but dropped 0.64% as a sector, heavily weighed down by MELS (down Rs. 2.25 to Rs. 183.25). • Capital Goods: Along with Food & Beverage, collectively captured 32% of the daily turnover. Top Index Contributors • Main laggards: CTHR, COMB, SAMP, MELS, and HNB. • Positive cushions: BUKI, RICH, BREW, SEMB, and CDB.