CSE ends flat in volatile session

Thursday, 18 December 2025 06:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Colombo stock market endured a volatile session yesterday closing flat with both indices marginally down.

The benchmark ASPI was down a marginal 0.02% or 3.56% to 22,329.69 and the active S&P SL20 ended 0.01% or 0.79 points lower at 6,070.33.

Market turnover was over Rs. 3.32 billion on nearly 157.3 million shares traded.

First Capital Research said the Colombo Bourse experienced strong fluctuations throughout the day’s trading session.

Top negative contributors to the ASPI were COMB, DFCC, RICH, BUKI and JKH while the few heavily weighted counters namely, LOLC, CARS, BIL, LOFC and VONE provided positive support, mitigating a larger market decline.

HNW participation remained low while retail investors mainly contributed to the daily turnover.

The Food Beverage and Tobacco sector accounted for 31% of total turnover, while the Capital Goods and Materials sectors contributed a combined 37%.

Foreign investors remained net sellers, posting a net outflow of Rs. 130.4 million.

NDB Securities said the market edged down as a result of price losses in counters such as Commercial Bank, DFCC Bank and Richard Pieris and Company.

High net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in Renuka Agri Foods, Maharaja Foods and Capital Alliance Holdings Limited. Mixed interest was observed in Tokyo Cement Company, LOLC Holdings and Tokyo Cement Company (non-voting) while retail interest was noted in UB Finance Company, Lanka Credit and Business Finance and LVL Energy Fund.

The Food, Beverage and Tobacco sector was the top contributor to the market turnover due to Renuka Agri Foods and Maharaja Foods while the sector index edged up by 0.05%.

The share price of Renuka Agri Foods decreased by 70 cents to close at Rs. 10.60. The share price of Maharaja Foods recorded a gain of 60 cents to close at Rs. 12.80.

The Capital Goods sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover due to John Keells Holdings while the sector index decreased by 0.19%.

The share price of John Keells Holdings declined by 10 cents to close at Rs. 21. Tokyo Cement Company and Capital Alliance Holdings Limited were also included amongst the top turnover contributors.

Tokyo Cement Company gained Rs. 2 to close at Rs. 108.25. The share price of Capital Alliance Holdings Ltd. moved up by 10 cents to close at Rs. 17.30.