CSE opens week on mixed note with net foreign sales of Rs. 805 m

Tuesday, 7 April 2026 00:47 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Colombo stock market yesterday made a remarkable recovery after the benchmark index fell below 21,000 points mid-session to open the week in green, although the S&P SL20 ended in red.

The ASPI closed on the up by 0.04% or 9.18 points at 21,126.60 and the S&P SL20 ended down 0.24% or 14.24 points to 5,861.45. Market turnover was over Rs. 3 billion on nearly 82 million shares traded. Foreign investors were net sellers with a net outflow of Rs. 804.7 million.

NDB Securities said the bourse opened the week on a mixed note. The ASPI edged up as a result of price gains in counters such as DFCC Bank, Cargills and Access Engineering.

High net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in Melstacorp, Tokyo Cement Company and John Keells Holdings. Mixed interest was observed in Sampath Bank, Lanka Milk Foods and Prime Lands Residencies whilst retail interest was noted in Browns Investments, HVA Foods and John Keells Hotels.

The food, beverage and tobacco sector was the top contributor to the market turnover due to Melstacorp and Lanka Milk Foods while the sector index gained 0.62%. The share price of Melstacorp decreased by Rs. 1.25 to close at Rs. 169.50 and Lanka Milk Foods appreciated by Rs. 2 to Rs. 83.10.

The capital goods sector was the second highest contributor to market turnover due to John Keells Holdings with the sector index increasing by 1.20%. The share price of John Keells Holdings gained 10 cents to Rs. 18.60.

Tokyo Cement Company and Sampath Bank were also included amongst the top turnover contributors. The share price of Tokyo Cement Company moved up by Rs. 1.30 to Rs. 90.20 and Sampath Bank ended 50 cents lower at Rs. 146.

First Capital Research said that amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, the market declined during the early hours. However, in the evening session, the ASPI recovered its earlier losses.

DFCC, CARG, AEL, JKH and AHPL emerged as the top positive contributors to the ASPI. Participation from retail and HNW investors was observed at lower levels. Crossings accounted for 31% of the total turnover.

MELS recorded crossings amounting to Rs. 810 million which represented 86% of the total crossings. The food, beverage and tobacco sector led daily turnover with a 33% share, followed by the capital goods and banking sectors, which collectively contributed 34%.