CSE opens week in red

Tuesday, 28 October 2025 00:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Colombo stock market opened the week in red yesterday, falling for the second consecutive session.

The ASPI fell 0.10%, down 23.73 points to 22,788.79 and the active S&P SL20 closed 0.17% lower, down 10.68 points to 6,255.63.

Turnover was more than Rs. 5.76 billion on over 306.8 million shares traded while foreign investors were net buyers with a net inflow of Rs. 176.5 million.

NDB Securities said the ASPI edged down as a result of price losses in counters such as C T Holdings, Central Finance Company and Richard Pieris & Company with the turnover crossing Rs. 5.7 billion. Meanwhile, the S&P SL20 closed in red.

High net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in Ceylon Hospitals, John Keells Holdings and DFCC Bank.

Mixed interest was observed in Colombo Dockyard, Sierra Cables and Ambeon Capital whilst retail interest was noted in UB Finance Company, Co-Operative Insurance Company and Tess Agro.

Foreign participation in the market activity remained at subdued levels with foreigners closing as net buyers.

The Capital Goods sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to Colombo Dockyard and John Keells Holdings) whilst the sector index edged down by 0.01%.

The share price of Colombo Dockyard gained Rs. 53 (24.20%) to close at Rs. 272. The share price of John Keells Holdings moved down by 10 cents to close at Rs. 21.30.

The Banking sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to DFCC Bank) whilst the sector index edged down by 0.01%.

The share price of DFCC Bank recorded a loss of 50 cents (0.31%) to close at Rs 163.

Ceylon Hospitals and Ambeon Capital were also included amongst the top turnover contributors.

The share price of Ceylon Hospitals increased by Rs. 60.25 (25.64%) to close at Rs. 295.25. The share price of Ambeon Capital appreciated by Rs. 1.60 (3.56%) to close at Rs. 46.50.

Asia Securities Research said the indices commenced the week lower, with the ASPI declining by 24 points (-0.1%) and the S&P SL20 index decreasing by 11 points (-0.2%) due to price losses in LCBF (-2.8%), RICH (-2.3%), WIND (-2.2%), PKME (-1.4%), LFIN (-0.8%), and JKH (-0.5%).

However, investors showed increased interest in healthcare sector stocks such as CHL (+25.6%) and NHL (+10.9%) during the session. Turnover amounted to Rs. 5.8 billion (previous session Rs. 6.2 billion), mainly led by CHL (Rs. 475 million), DOCK (Rs. 468 million), and JKH (Rs. 321 million).

DOCK (+19 points) was the major driver on the ASPI, while CTHR (-13 points), CFIN (-7 points), and RICH (-7 points) ended as the biggest laggards. The market breadth was negative with 102 price gainers and 147 decliners.