CSE begins final week of 2025 mixed

Tuesday, 30 December 2025 01:29 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Colombo stocks started the week yesterday on a mixed note with the ASPI closing up by 0.29% or 63.49 points to 22,132.33 and why the S&P SL20 ended a marginal 0.06% lower, down 3.74 points to 6,037.79.

Market turnover was over Rs. 3.7 billion on nearly 108.43 million shares traded. Foreign investors were net sellers on a net outflow of Rs. 200.5 million.

NDB Securities said the ASPI closed in green as a result of price gains in counters such as Colombo Dockyard, Hatton National Bank, and Richard Pieris and Company.

High net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in Colombo Dockyard PLC rights, DFCC Bank and John Keells Holdings. Mixed interest was observed in Colombo Dockyard, Commercial Bank and Richard Pieris and Company whilst retail interest was noted in LVL Energy Fund, Amana Takaful, and Kotagala Plantations.

The Capital Goods sector was the top contributor to the market turnover due to Colombo Dockyard PLC rights, Colombo Dockyard and John Keells Holdings while the sector index gained 0.93%.

The share price of Colombo Dockyard PLC rights increased by Rs. 4.10 to close at Rs 65.30 and Colombo Dockyard gained Rs. 40.25 to close at Rs. 171.75. The share price of John Keells Holdings recorded a loss of 20 cents to close at Rs. 20.90.

The Banking sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover due to DFCC Bank and Commercial Bank with the sector index increasing by 0.29%. DFCC Bank moved up by Rs. 1.25 to close at Rs. 145.50 and Commercial Bank fell 50 cents to Rs. 198.25.

Asia Securities Research said DOCKN, RICH, NTBN, DFCC and HNBN closed higher while ACL, JKH, PLC, AEL and COMBN ended in red during the session.

Market turnover was mainly supported by DOCKN (Rs. 585 million) and DFCC (Rs. 251million). DOCKN and HNBN emerged as the key contributors to the index performance for the day. Market breadth turned negative, with 100 price gainers and 121 decliners.

Capital Goods, Banks, Diversified Financials and Food, Beverage and Tobacco sectors led activity, collectively accounting for 87.5% of turnover.

Net foreign buying topped in RICH.N at Rs. 77.4 million while net foreign selling topped in JKHN at Rs. 152.5 million. Crossings accounted for 21% of turnover led by DFCC.N (Rs. 200 million), JKHN Rs. 153.4 million, and COMBN (Rs. 99.5 million). Market P/E was 10.52.

First Capital Research said stock market opened with a sharp upward movement and subsequently traded within a narrow range for most of the day, marked by minor fluctuations. A total of 91 counters made positive contributions to the ASPI, while most counters recorded negative movements, resulting in mixed signals across the indices.

Top positive contributors to the ASPI were DOCK, HNB, RICH, DFCC and CCS.

Retail investors paid a special attention on DOCK and DOCK.R while HNW investors showed improved buying interest, gradually entering the market.

Banking sector counters attracted renewed buying interest, while consumer services sector counters advanced following the strong post-crisis tourism arrival numbers recorded during the previous week.

The Capital Goods sector accounted for 33% of total turnover, while the Banking and Diversified Financials sectors contributed a combined 26%.