CSE ends two-session recovery, down 0.4%

Friday, 31 July 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Colombo stock market yesterday ended in red, ending a two-day recovery.

The ASPI was down 0.38% or 80.43 points at 21,148.71 and active S&P SL20 ended 0.26% lower, down 15.37 points to 5,946.03. With 138 counters closing in red against 58 in green, The ASPI decline was helped by SPEN, CINS, COMB, ACL and RICH.

Market turnover was nearly Rs. 1.1 billion on over 31.4 million shares traded. Foreign investors were net sellers on a net outflow of Rs. 710,860.

NDB Securities said high net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in Hayleys, Hatton National Bank and John Keells Holdings. Mixed interest was observed in Lee Hedges, Commercial Bank and Swisstek, whilst retail interest was noted in Asia Siyaka Commodities, Ceylon Land and Equity and Janashakthi Limited.

The capital goods sector was the top contributor to market turnover due to Hayleys and John Keells Holdings, whilst the sector index lost 0.55%. The share price of Hayleys closed flat at Rs. 225 and John Keells Holdings closed unchanged at Rs. 19.90.

The banking sector was the second highest contributor to market turnover due to Hatton National Bank and Commercial Bank, whilst the sector index decreased by 0.26%. Hatton National Bank recorded a loss of Re. 1 to end at Rs. 385.25 and Commercial Bank declined by Re. 1 to Rs. 201.50.

Lee Hedges was also included amongst the top turnover contributors. The share price of Lee Hedges moved down 75 cents to close at Rs. 291.75.