📈 CSE Starts May on Positive Note with 0.65% Gain

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) opened the month in green, driven by global optimism regarding US-Iran negotiations. While indices rose, the market saw significant foreign exits. • Overall Performance: The ASPI gained 145.47 points (+0.65%) to close at 22,695.00, while the S&P SL20 rose 37.08 points (+0.6%) to 6,244.64. Market turnover reached Rs. 4.8 Bn with 90.2 million shares traded. • Sector Highlights: • Food, Beverage & Tobacco: Led market turnover with a 56% share, gaining 1.30% as a sector. • Banking & Capital Goods: Collectively contributed 23% to turnover; the Banking index rose 0.70%. • Key Stock Movements: • Top contributors to turnover included NDB, DIAL, MELS, DOCK, and HARI. • CTC dominated turnover at Rs. 2.4 Bn (49.7% of total) despite a price dip to Rs. 1,800. • Significant gains were noted in HDFC (+Rs. 10.90) and Asiri Hospital Holdings (+Rs. 2.90). • Investor Sentiment: High Net Worth (HNW) participation was elevated, with crossings accounting for 57.8% of turnover. Retail interest remained subdued. • Foreign Inflows/Outflows: Foreign investors were net sellers with a daily outflow of Rs. 2.45 Bn, largely due to CTC. This brings the Year-to-Date (YTD) net foreign selling to Rs. 27.6 Bn.