📉 CSE Starts September in Red Amid Middle East Tensions

The Colombo Stock Exchange began the month on a cautious note with selling pressure pulling indices down, influenced by rising global oil prices and Middle East tensions. • Market Indices & Overview: • ASPI: Down 0.10% (-20.38 pts) to close at 21,318.31 • S&P SL20: Down 0.39% (-23.23 pts) to close at 5,986.45 • Total Turnover: Rs. 2.3+ Bn (97.4M+ shares traded) • Foreign Flow: Net outflow of Rs. 612.5 Mn • Sector Performance & Turnover: • Capital Goods: Led turnover (31%); sector index fell 0.88%, dragged down by John Keells Holdings (down Rs. 0.40 to Rs. 19.50) • Food, Beverage & Tobacco: Contributed alongside Diversified Financials (combined 33%); sector index gained 1.26%, supported by Ceylon Cold Stores (up Rs. 1.50 to Rs. 121.75) • Investor Activity & Stock Movers: • Top negative index contributors: JKH, BREW, DFCC, DIAL, and MELS • High Net Worth & institutional interest seen in John Keells Holdings, Watawala Plantations, and Sampath Bank • Retail interest focused on HVA Foods, Renuka Agri Foods, and Exterminators