CSE ASPI touches new high of 23,000 points, then dips

Wednesday, 5 November 2025 00:23 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Colombo stock market ASPI briefly crossed an all-time high of 23,000 points for the first time in early hours of trading yesterday before dipping slightly.

The ASPI eventually ended the session gaining 0.11% or 25.18 points to 22,953.49 and the active S&P SL20 closed a marginal 0.05% lower, down 3.12 points to 6,249.28.

Turnover was over Rs. 4.4 billion on more than 161.7 million shares traded. Foreign investors were net sellers with a net outflow of more than Rs. 485.4 million.

NDB Securities said high net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in Aitken Spence, Dipped Products, and Commercial Bank.

Mixed interest was observed in Sunshine Holdings, Colombo Dockyard and Renuka Agri Foods whilst retail interest was noted in Waskaduwa Beach Resort, SMB Leasing, and UB Finance Company.

The Capital Goods sector was the top contributor to the market turnover due to Aitken Spence and Colombo Dockyard whilst the sector index gained 0.37%.

The share price of Aitken Spence increased by Rs. 6.25 to close at Rs. 169.25 and Colombo Dockyard moved up by Rs. 55 to close at Rs. 405.

Food, Beverage, and Tobacco sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover due to Sunshine Holdings and Renuka Agri Foods while the sector index increased by 0.33%.

The share price of Sunshine Holdings gained Rs. 3.60 to close at Rs. 37.30 and Renuka Agri Foods recorded a gain of 30 cents to close at Rs. 5.80.

Commercial Bank was also included amongst the top turnover contributors. The share price of Commercial Bank appreciated by 50 cents to close at Rs. 207.75.

First Capital Research said the Colombo Bourse witnessed a volatile trading day, where the ASPI steadily moved upward during the early hours of trading and hit 23,000, which then gradually moved down due to profit taking.

Both retail and HNW investors moderately engaged in trading, while more positivity was observed towards selected blue-chip counters. Key positive contributors to the index comprised SFCL, SUN, DOCK, CARG and SPEN.

The Capital Goods sector led total turnover, contributing 28%, followed by the Food, beverage & tobacco and Banking sectors, which collectively accounted for 34%.