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Saturday Aug 23, 2025
Wednesday, 20 August 2025 13:21 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Colombo stock market yesterday gathered further strength touching new highs amidst heavy turnover dominated by banking stocks.
The benchmark ASPI gained by 100.55 points and crossed the 20,500 point-mark ending at 20,571 points up 0.49% from Monday. The active S&P SL20 gained by over 58 points and crossed the 6,000-point mark to close at 6,055.92 points, up 0.97%. Turnover was Rs. 10.84 billion involving 234.53 million shares.
First Capital said, similar to Monday, the Colombo Stock Market yesterday continued its upward trend, fuelled by heightened investor optimism following strong quarterly earnings. The Banking sector counters and selected Diversified Financial sector stocks played a key role in driving the index into positive territory. As a result, the ASPI closed at 20,571, marking a gain of 101 points. Notable contributors to this positive movement included COMB, HNB, CARS, SAMP, and BUKI. On the back of increased participation from both retail and HNW investors, turnover for the day amounted to Rs. 10.9 billion, marking an 86% increase from the monthly average of around Rs. 5.8 billion. The Banking sector dominated turnover, contributing 42%, followed by the diversified financial and food, beverage and tobacco sectors with a combined contribution of 21%. Foreign investors remained net sellers with a net outflow of Rs. 2.2 billion.
NDB Securities said the ASPI closed in green as a result of price gains in counters such as Commercial Bank, Hatton National Bank and Carson Cumberbatch with the turnover crossing Rs. 10.8 billion. A similar behaviour was witnessed in the S&P SL20.
Crossings were witnessed in Hatton National Bank, Sampath Bank, Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka, accounting for 74% of the turnover. Mixed interest was observed in Hatton National Bank nonvoting, Commercial Bank and John Keells Holdings, whilst retail interest was noted in Beruwala Resorts, Hela Apparel Holdings and Agstar.
The Banking sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to Hatton National Bank, Sampath Bank, Hatton National Bank nonvoting and Commercial Bank), whilst the sector index gained 2.41%. The share price of Hatton National Bank increased by Rs. 13.50 to close at Rs. 399. The share price of Sampath Bank gained Rs. 2.25 to close at Rs. 145. The share price of Hatton National Bank nonvoting recorded a gain of Rs. 4 to close at Rs. 317. The share price of Commercial Bank appreciated by Rs. 7.75 to close at Rs. 196.75.
The diversified financial sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover, whilst the sector index decreased by 0.15%. Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka was also included amongst the top turnover contributors. The share price of Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka moved up by Rs. 1.75 to close at Rs. 116.
