CSE continues slide, ends down 0.60% on Mideast war

Friday, 10 July 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Colombo stock market yesterday continued its slide for a eighth straight session with 152 counters closing in red against 55 in green as the resumption of the Middle East war weighed on tensions.

The ASPI was down 0.60%, or 130.78 points at 21,697.72 and the S&P SL20 fell 0.54% or 33.03 points to 6,066.49.

Turnover was over 1.4 billion on over 119.5 million shares traded. Foreign investors were net sellers on a net outflow of Rs. 91.7 million.

The contributors to the ASPI decline were COMB, MELS, LION, HAYL and JKH. Positive contributions came from BREW, SEYB, SEMB, LIOC and MAL.

First Capital Research said investor sentiment remained weak amid continued selling pressure, while lingering geopolitical tensions in the Middle East kept investors cautious. HNW participation was visible on selective shares and contributed the majority of turnover, while retail participation remained at average levels.

The capital goods sector led the daily turnover with a share of 37%, followed by the food beverage & tobacco, and banking sectors collectively contributing 26%.

NDB Securities said high net worth and institutional investor activity was recorded in Hemas Holdings, Access Engineering and John Keells Holdings.

Mixed interest was seen in Melstacorp, Industrial Asphalts and Hayleys, while retail participation was noted in Waskaduwa Beach Resort, Browns Investments and LVL Energy Fund.

The capital goods sector was the largest contributor to market turnover, driven by Hemas Holdings, Access Engineering and John Keells Holdings, although the sector index declined 0.85%.

Hemas Holdings share price fell 50 cents to Rs. 32 while Access Engineering declined 50 cents to Rs. 77 and John Keells Holdings lost 10 cents to close at Rs. 19.90.

The food, beverage and tobacco sector was the second-largest contributor to turnover, led by Melstacorp, with the sector index declining 0.65%. Melstacorp ended Rs. 1.75 lower at Rs. 186.

Industrial Asphalts was also among the top turnover contributors, with its share price declining 10 cents to 70 cents.