CSE opens week in red

Tuesday, 20 January 2026 04:41 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Colombo stock market yesterday opened the week in the red with foreign investors emerging as net sellers on a net outflow of nearly Rs. 697.9 million.

The ASPI closed down 0.44% or 103.73 points to 23,627.87 and the active S&P SL20 ended down 0.32% or 20.73 points to 6,539.35. Market turnover over nearly Rs. 4.7 billion on over 214.2 million shares traded.

First Capital Research said the Colombo Bourse experienced a volatile day with an early rally, followed by a mid-day decline to a low, ending the day at negative territory. Top negative contributors for the ASPI were DOCK, COMB, NTB, SAMP and SPEN.

Retail investors showed strong participation during the session, with notable interest in hotel sector stocks ahead of the upcoming earnings season. Overall HNW participants were less active, with their focus primarily on construction sector counters.

The capital goods sector was the major contributor to today’s turnover accounting 27% of the turnover, followed by the materials and banking sectors, which together contributed 29%.

NDB Securities said High net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in ACL Cables, Tokyo Cement Company and Dialog Axiata. Mixed interest was observed in Citrus Leisure, Colombo Dockyard and Hayleys while retail interest was noted in SMB Leasing, Muller and Phipps and Mackwoods Energy.

The capital goods sector was the top contributor to market turnover due to ACL Cables and Colombo Dockyard with the sector index losing 0.58%. The share price of ACL Cables lost Rs. 1 to close at Rs. 102 and Colombo Dockyard recorded a loss of Rs. 8.25 to close at Rs. 108.25.

The materials sector was the second highest contributor to market turnover due to Tokyo Cement Company with the sector index decreasing by 0.62%. The share price of Tokyo Cement Company (non-voting) decreased by 80 cents to close at Rs. 93.60.

Citrus Leisure and Dialog Axiata were also included among the top turnover contributors. The share price of Citrus Leisure moved up by 10 cents to Rs. 4.40 and Dialog Axiata gained 30 cents to close at Rs. 33.90.