CSE shakes off three-day decline, ends up 0.14%

Friday, 17 July 2026 00:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Colombo stock market yesterday ended a three-day decline to end on the up driven by heightened high net-worth investor activity.

Despite losers outweighing winners with 99 counters closing in red against 87 in green, the ASPI ended up 0.14% or 29.77 points at 21,447.57 and the active S&P SL20 index gained 0.27% or 16.37 points to 6,004.99.

Market turnover was nearly Rs. 1.5 billion on over 43.2 million shares traded. Foreign investors continued to be net sellers on a net outflow of Rs. 26.9 million.

First Capital Research said the bourse remained relatively subdued during the first half of the session before gaining momentum in the latter half, supported by several negotiated crossings, particularly in EBCR, which lifted overall investor sentiment.

HNW investors accounted for the majority of market turnover, while retail participation remained slightly below average.

The main positive contributors to the ASPI were DIAL, HAYC, CFIN, JKH, and CTHR. The capital goods sector led the daily turnover with a share of 48%, followed by the banking, and materials sectors collectively contributing 28%.

NDB Securities said high net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in E B Creasy and Company, ACL Cables and John Keells Holdings. Mixed interest was observed in ACL Cables, Sampath Bank and Haycarb, whilst retail interest was noted in Lanka Credit and Business Finance, Softlogic Capital and Ceylon Land and Equity.

The capital goods sector was the top contributor to market turnover due to E B Creasy and Company and ACL Cables, whilst the sector index gained 0.23%. The share price of E B Creasy and Company increased 40 cents to Rs. 40 and ACL Cables gained 70 cents to Rs. 96.70.

The banking sector was the second-highest contributor to market turnover due to Sampath Bank and Commercial Bank, whilst the sector index edged down by 0.01%. Sampath Bank closed flat at Rs. 137 and Commercial Bank was down 25 cents to Rs. 201.25.

Haycarb was also among the top turnover contributors with stock ending unchanged at Rs. 175.75.