Friday Feb 27, 2026
Friday Feb 27, 2026
Wednesday, 25 February 2026 00:07 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Colombo stock market closed in red yesterday dragged down by diversified holdings and banking stocks.
The benchmark ASPI ended down 0.39% or 92.40 points at 23,690.62 and the active S&P SL20 ended down 0.71% or 47.59 points at 6,681.12.
Market turnover was nearly Rs. 3.7 billion on over 152.5 million shares traded. Foreign investors were net sellers on as net outflow of Rs. 729.3 million.
NDB Securities said the ASPI closed in red as a result of price losses in counters such as John Keells Holdings, Melstacorp and Nations Trust Bank.
High net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in Dialog Axiata, ACL Cables and Commercial Bank. Mixed interest was observed in Asia Siyaka Commodities, Access Engineering and ACME Printing and Packaging, whilst retail interest was seen in Co-Operative Insurance Company, Browns Investments and HVA Foods.
The capital goods sector was the top contributor to market turnover due to ACL Cables, Access Engineering and John Keells Holdings, while the sector index lost 0.91%.
The share price of ACL Cables gained Rs. 1.50 to close at Rs. 103 and Access Engineering recorded a gain of Rs. 1.10 to Rs. 76.30, while John Keells Holdings declined by 50 cents to close at Rs. 22.10.
The telecommunication services sector was the second highest contributor to market turnover due to Dialog Axiata with sector index edging up by 0.02%. The share price of Dialog Axiata decreased by 10 cents to close at Rs. 32.80.
Asia Siyaka Commodities was also among the top turnover contributors. The share price of Asia Siyaka Commodities moved up by Rs. 1.90 to close at Rs. 17.90.
First Capital Research said the bourse experienced a modest pullback with both indices opening on a relatively positive note before trending downward to close in the red with JKH, MELS, NTB, SAMP and CFIN emerging as the key negative contributors to the index.
Retail investors were the primary participants during the session, while HNW activity appeared modest. The capital goods sector led the daily turnover with a share of 26%, followed by the telecommunication, and diversified financials sectors collectively contributing 31%.
