CSE Rebounds 0.60% as Bargain Hunting Offsets Record Slump 📈

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) bounced back yesterday as value investors moved in to accumulate fundamentally strong shares following Tuesday’s record single-day decline. • Market Indices: The ASPI gained 0.60% (134.03 points) to close at 22,577.41, while the S&P SL20 rose 0.70% to 6,357.66. The market partially erased losses from the previous session's 1,291-point plunge triggered by Middle East tensions. • Turnover & Volume: Total turnover reached Rs. 4.7 Bn with over 171.2 million shares traded. Market breadth was positive with 157 gainers against 77 decliners. • Sector Performance: • Capital Goods: Led activity with a 32% share of turnover (Rs. 1.5 Bn). Key moves included Access Engineering (+Rs. 0.90) and ACL Cables (-Rs. 0.20). • Banking & Blue-Chips: Provided the primary upward momentum. Sampath Bank (+21.6 points) and Commercial Bank were top positive contributors to the ASPI. • Diversified Financials: Second highest turnover contributor, with the sector index rising 1.63%. • Investor Sentiment: Foreign investors remained net sellers with an outflow of Rs. 95.1 Mn. High net worth and institutional interest were noted in construction and engineering counters, though overall sentiment remains cautious due to external geopolitical developments. _Data based on market closing figures for March 4, 2026._