📉 CSE Wraps Up February in Red Despite Healthy Turnover

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) concluded February on a negative note as benchmark indices faced selling pressure, particularly across blue-chip and banking counters. • Market Performance: The ASPI fell by 47 points (0.2%), while the S&P SL20 dropped 74 points (over 1%). For the full month of February, the ASPI and S&P SL20 lost 0.3% and 0.1% respectively. • Liquidity & Turnover: Daily turnover remained strong at Rs. 7.0 Bn, with a monthly average daily turnover of Rs. 5.62 Bn. High Net Worth (HNW) participation was robust, with crossings accounting for 19.4% (Rs. 1.3 Bn) of the day’s total. • Sector Highlights: • Food, Beverage & Tobacco: Led turnover (27% share), boosted by Renuka Agri Foods. The sector index rose 0.75%. • Diversified Financials & Banking: Collectively contributed 42% to turnover. Softlogic Finance (+11%) and LOLC Holdings (+Rs. 6.50) saw gains, while the banking sector faced pressure. • Top Laggards: Heavyweights including Commercial Bank (down 3.17%), John Keells Holdings (JKH), HNB, CTC, and LLUB were key negative contributors. • Investor Sentiment: Foreign investors turned net sellers with an outflow of Rs. 363.8 Mn. While HNW interest centered on Renuka Agri Foods and Softlogic Finance, retail activity focused on Browns Investments and Co-Operative Insurance. Based on provisional daily market data.