CSE ends on the up, extends gains for ninth straight session

Wednesday, 7 January 2026 03:27 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Colombo stock market closed on the up yesterday for the ninth consecutive session, generating Rs. 67 billion in value and taking the total up to Rs. 218.6 billion for the first three trading days this year.

The ASPI ended 1.21% on the up, gaining 278.16 points to 23,292.91 and the S&P SL20 ended 2.19% up or 136.41 points to 6,363.85.

Market turnover was nearly Rs. 6.6 billion on over 154.7 million shares traded. Foreign investors were net sellers with a net outflow of nearly Rs. 8 million.

First Capital Securities said the bullish sentiment of the previous session continued into yesterday.

The index exerted a steady upward momentum during the day, heavily weighing on the buying interest towards Banking sector counters. Top positive contributors to the ASPI were HNB, COMB, JKH, NDB and SAMP.

Both retail and HNW investors were highly active in trading, with particular interest exhibited towards Banking and Poultry sector counters.

The Banking sector contributed 32% of total turnover, while Capital Goods and Food, Beverage and Tobacco sectors together accounted for 36%. Cables and Conductors sector counters portrayed some selling pressure.

Asia Securities said investor interest was largely focused on banking counters, with notable gains in SDB, HNB.N, NDB, COMB.N, SAMP and DFCC. Broader market participation also supported the upward movement as SLTL, CIC, HAYL, JKH and HHL closed in green.

Turnover was led by COMB.N, SAMP and RAL. HNB.N and COMB.N emerged as the largest contributors to the index. Market breadth remained positive, with 138 price gainers outpacing 103 price decliners.

Net foreign buying topped in COMB.N at Rs. 84.4 million while net foreign selling topped in PKME.N at Rs. 36.4 million. Crossings accounted for 15.3% of turnover led by COMB.N (Rs. 315.8 million), SDB.N (Rs. 150.8 million) and SAMP.N (Rs. 149 million). Market P/E was 11.02.