The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) said yesterday the All Share Price Index (ASPI), the primary index tracking the price movements of all shares listed, has remained in double digit year-to-date (YTD) returns territory for 25 consecutive market days, over a period of five weeks since 15 January. 

YTD return indicates the quantity of profit (or loss) realised by an investment since the first trading day of a calendar year. YTD calculations are frequently used by investors to measure the performance of a stock market. 

“At the end of trading of 22 February, the ASPI recorded 12.15% YTD returns. The strong performance of the ASPI in 2021 has also frequently placed the ASPI among the best performing primary indices in the world,” the CSE said in a statement. 

It also said the S&P SL 20 Index, which includes the 20 largest and most liquid stocks has also indicated double-digit YTD returns over the same period, and at present indicates YTD returns of 14.85%. The ASPI and S&P SL 20 closed trading today on 7,597.51 and 3,029.79 respectively. 

The ASPI recorded its highest YTD growth of 30.08% on 27 January, while the S&P SL 20 Index recorded its highest YTD growth of 33.21% on 29 January. 

CSE said the stock market has attracted a record-breaking level of trading activity and interest during the first two months of 2021. The daily average turnover figure, which averages the total turnover figure recorded over a particular year over the number of market days, is presently at Rs. 8.3 billion, 6.3 times more than the Rs. 1.3 billion recorded at the same point in 2020 in terms of the number of market days.  

The total turnover of Rs.275 billion recorded so far this year is already higher than the full-year figures recorded in 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. 

Macro concerns weigh down stock market