CSE ends flat on cautious investor sentiment

Wednesday, 21 January 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Colombo stock market closed flat yesterday on cautious and mildly selective investor sentiment.

The ASPI ended down 0.02% or a negligible 4.13 points to 23,623.74 and the active S&P SL20 was up 0.08% or 5.45 points to 6,544.80.

Turnover was nearly Rs. 5.17 billion on over 134.5 million shares traded. Foreign investors were net sellers on a net outflow of nearly Rs.91 million.

First Capital Research said the bourse showed mixed sentiment, with the ASPI slightly declining amid volatility, suggesting cautious trading and some profit-taking. Overall investor sentiment appeared mildly selective on S&P SL20 counters while being cautious in the broader market but more confident in leading, large-cap stocks.

Top negative contributors for the ASPI were SFCL, JKH, BUKI, CTHR and DFCC. The conversion of DOCK Rights Issue shares into voting shares helped slightly moderate the decline in the ASPI, while contributing Rs. 1.3 billion or 24.8% to the total turnover.

Retail and HNW investor participation remained average. The capital goods sector was the major contributor to the daily turnover accounting 49% of the turnover, followed by the materials and banking sectors, which together contributed 23%.

Asia Securities Research said ACL, DIST, PLR, HAYL and SAMP closed higher while JKH, RCL, LOLC, AEL, and HNB ended in red during the session.

Market turnover was mainly supported by DOCK (Rs. 1.3 billion), ACL (Rs. 400 million) and RHLX (Rs. 325 million). HAYL and DOCK emerged as the key contributors to the index performance for the day. Market breadth remained negative, with 107 price gainers and 126 decliners.

Banks, health care equipment and services, materials and insurance sectors led activity, collectively accounting for 79.2% of turnover.

Net foreign buying topped in MELS.N at Rs. 27 million, while net foreign selling topped in TKYO.N at Rs. 112.6 million. Crossings accounted for 15.4% of turnover led by RHL.X (Rs. 324 million), TKYO.N (Rs. 113 million) and DIST.N (Rs. 111 million). Market P/E was 11.21.