CSE opens week marginally down on mixed investor sentiment

Tuesday, 4 August 2026 01:41 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Colombo stock market yesterday opened the month marginally lower.

The ASPI ended down a marginal 0.04% or 7.43 points at 21,121.78 while the S&P SL20 barely in the green gaining 0.01% or 0.31 points to 5,940.29.

Market turnover was over Rs. 1.4 billion on nearly 48 million shares traded and foreign investors were net sellers on a net outflow of Rs. 78.4 million.

First Capital Research said mixed investor sentiment prevailed throughout the session, with selling pressure in selected counters keeping the market in negative territory. However, market turnover was supported by crossings from HNW and institutional investors, while retail participation remained at average levels.

Main negative contributors to the ASPI were CARG, HHL, RICH, CARS, and AEL.

The banking sector led the daily turnover with a share of 29%, followed by the food beverage and tobacco, and capital goods sectors collectively contributing 40%.

Asia Securities Research said the ASPI intraday high of 21,228 points early in the session was pulled down, below the opening level, with price losses mainly in OSEA, LION, AEL and DIPD. At the same time, the ASPI had support from heavyweights such as, MELS, CCS, HNB.N and ACL.

Turnover was supported by LMF (Rs. 196 million), COMB.N (Rs. 145 million), and JKH (Rs. 117 million). Market breadth turned positive, however, with 100 positive contributors and 94 negative contributors.