Mixed investor sentiments at Colombo stock market

Wednesday, 22 July 2026 06:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Colombo stock market continued its slide yesterday, however the active S&P SL20 ended in green.

With 133 counters ending in red against 74 in green, the ASPI ended down 0.29% or 62.37 points at 21,145.73 while the active S&P SL20 inched up 0.03% or 1.79 points to 5,945.01.

Turnover was over Rs. 3.2 billion on nearly 38.5 million shares traded. Foreign investors were net buyers on a net inflow of Rs. 79.8 million.

The negative contributors to the ASPI were CINS, COMB, RICH, CARS and HARI.

First Capital Research said the Colombo Bourse recorded a broad-based decline as selling pressure persisted across most counters. Investor sentiment remained subdued amid uncertainties surrounding the US-Iran conflict. The turnover surpassed Rs. 3 billion for the first time in a month. The higher turnover was primarily driven by a Rs. 2.3 billion crossing in CARG, which accounted for 69.1% of the total turnover. The food and staples retailing sector led the daily turnover with a share of 71%, followed by the food, beverage and tobacco, and banking sectors collectively contributing 15%.

NDB Securities said crossings were witnessed in Cargills, Melstacorp and Nations Trust Bank accounting for 76.2% of the turnover. Mixed interest was observed in Softlogic Life Insurance, Ceylon Cold Stores and Commercial Bank, whilst retail interest was noted in Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka & Finance, UB Finance Company and HNB Finance.

The food and staples retailing sector was the top contributor to the market turnover due to Cargills, whilst the sector index gained 0.15%. The share price of Cargills edged up by 25 cents to close at Rs. 630. The food, beverage and tobacco sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover due to Melstacorp, whilst the sector index increased by 0.43%. The share price of Melstacorp lost one rupee to close at Rs. 181.

Nations Trust Bank, Softlogic Life Insurance and Hatton National Bank were also included amongst the top turnover contributors. The share price of Nations Trust Bank moved down by 50 cents to close at Rs. 305. The share price of Softlogic Life Insurance recorded a loss of Rs. 2.40 to close at Rs. 81.10. The share price of Hatton National Bank declined by Rs. 2 to close at Rs. 384.