CSE ends on the up, gains Rs. 84 b on improved investor sentiment

Wednesday, 31 December 2025 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Colombo stock market yesterday ended the penultimate trading session for 2025 on the up, gaining Rs. 84 billion in value on improved investor sentiment.

The ASPI was up 1.42% or 313.56 points to close at 22,445.89 and the active S&P SL20 gained 1.22% or 73.56 points to 6,111.35.

Turnover was over Rs. 3.4 billion on nearly 101.37 million shares traded. Foreign investors were net sellers on a net outflow of Rs. 36.7 million.

First Capital Research said the CSE experienced improved investor sentiment following the holiday season. During the trading session, the ASPI opened with a slight uptick and then moved steadily upward throughout the trading session, showing consistent buying interest across the day.

Top positive contributors to the ASPI were DOCK, MELS, HNB, RICH and COMB. Both retail and HNW investor sentiment remained strong, with retail investors showing particular interest in banking sector counters during the trading session.

Consumer Services sector counters, particularly hotel stocks, attracted notable buying interest following the strong post-crisis tourism arrival numbers recorded. The Capital Goods sector accounted for 34% of total turnover, while the Banking, and Materials sectors contributed a combined 34%.

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

High net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in Commercial Bank, Access Engineering, and Royal Ceramics. Mixed interest was observed in Colombo Dockyard, Bogala Graphite Lanka and Hatton National Bank nonvoting whilst retail interest was noted in Renuka Agri Foods, SMB Leasing and Co-Operative Insurance Company.

The Capital goods sector was the top contributor to the market turnover due to Colombo Dockyard, Access Engineering and Royal Ceramics while the sector index gained 1.61%. The share price of Colombo Dockyard gained Rs. 21 to close at Rs. 192.75. The share price of Access Engineering moved down by 30 cents to close at Rs. 72.30. The share price of Royal Ceramics appreciated by 60 cents to close at Rs. 45.

The Banking sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover due to Commercial Bank while the sector index increased by 1.36%. The share price of Commercial Bank increased by Rs. 2.50 to close at Rs. 200.75.

Bogala Graphite Lanka was also included amongst the top turnover contributors. The share price of Bogala Graphite Lanka recorded a gain of Rs. 31 to close at Rs. 167.50.