📈 CSE Starts Week in Red Despite Strong Foreign Buying

The Colombo Bourse closed in negative territory on Monday as early gains succumbed to selling pressure, largely influenced by renewed Middle East tensions and rising global oil prices. • Market Performance: • ASPI: Down 0.23% (-52.26 points) to 23,011.72. • S&P SL20: Down 0.30% (-19.22 points) to 6,300.02. • Turnover: Recorded at Rs. 4.93 Bn, driven significantly by High-Net-Worth (HNW) activity. • Sector Highlights: • Banking: Led turnover with a 62% share, though the sector index dipped 0.53%. Key movements included Seylan Bank (+Rs. 0.25) and Commercial Bank (-Rs. 1.75). • Diversified Financials: Second highest contributor; sector index rose 0.22% supported by Ceylon Land and Equity. • ICT/Logistics: Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka (PickMe) saw a price gain of Rs. 1.25. • Investor Sentiment & Liquidity: • Foreign Activity: Strong net foreign inflow of Rs. 597.5 Mn, with Seylan Bank (SEYB.N) leading net buying at Rs. 624 Mn. • Strategic Trades: Crossings (off-market deals) dominated the session, accounting for 61.6% of total turnover, led by a massive Rs. 2.8 Bn crossing in Seylan Bank. • Breadth: 105 counters gained versus 128 losers. Market P/E stood at 11.78.