CSE opens week down 0.81% amid selling pressure

Tuesday, 6 October 2026 06:29 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Colombo stock market yesterday opened the week down sharply after a volatile trading session amid heavy selling.

The ASPI was down 0.81% or 168.38 points at 20,644.26 and the S&P SL20 fell 0.62% or 36.48 points to 5,847.02.

Market turnover was over Rs. 3.16 billion on over 67.6 million shares traded. Foreigners were net sellers on a net outflow of Rs. 112.5 million.

With 171 counters ending in red against 29 in green, the top contributors to the ASPI decline were DIAL, CARS, COMB, GREG and LOLC. Access Engineering was top contributor to the day’s turnover with Rs. 1.45 billion followed by Lanka IOC Rs. 373.8 million and JKH Rs. 157.8 million.

First Capital Research said the bourse remained firmly in the negative territory amid broadly bearish sentiment. The market came under significant selling pressure towards the latter of the morning session before recovering at the beginning of the second half, only to resume its downward trajectory and close in the red.

Heavy activity was witnessed in index-sensitive counters, reflecting heightened selling pressure across the market. HNW investors were the primary drivers of market activity, while retail participation remained at average levels.

The capital goods sector led the daily turnover with a share of 54%, followed by the energy, and food beverage & tobacco sectors collectively contributing 24%.