CSE closes down 1.87%, loses Rs. 143 b value

Thursday, 4 December 2025 06:43 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Colombo stock market yesterday fell sharply to the lowest point in two months, losing Rs. 143 billion in value from the previous close.

The ASPI was down 1.87%, or 414.98 points, to 21,826.59 and the active S&P SL20 fell 1.75%, or 107.13 points, to 6,030.66. Turnover was nearly Rs. 3.78 billion on over 171.2 million shares traded.

NDB Securities said the ASPI closed in red as a result of price losses in counters such as Ceylinco Holdings, Melstacorp, and Commercial Bank.

High net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in John Keells Holdings, Hemas Holdings, and Hatton National Bank.

Mixed interest was observed in Access Engineering, Colombo Dockyard, and Tokyo Cement Company, while retail interest was noted in SMB Leasing nonvoting, SMB Leasing, and Industrial Asphalts.

The Capital Goods sector was the top contributor to the market turnover, driven by John Keells Holdings, Access Engineering, Hemas Holdings, and Colombo Dockyard, with the sector index losing 1.51%.

The share price of John Keells Holdings decreased by Rs. 0.30 to close at Rs. 21.50 and Access Engineering ended down Rs. 1.30 at Rs. 71.30. Hemas Holdings gained Rs. 0.50 to Rs. 34.90, while Colombo Dockyard recorded a loss of Rs. 16 to end at Rs. 412.75.

The Banking sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover due to Hatton National Bank, with the sector index decreasing by 1.72%. Hatton National Bank ended down Rs. 5.75 to close at Rs. 390.

First Capital Research attributed yesterday’s slide to adverse weather forecasts. It said the Colombo bourse recorded a sharp drop from the early start of the day’s session, driven by uncertainty surrounding weather forecasts that warn of persistent heavy rainfall in the days ahead.

Investor activity was muted, with both retail and HNW showing notably lower participation. CINS, MELS, COMB, SFCL, and BUKI emerged as the top negative contributors to yesterday’s bear-market performance.

The Capital Goods sector generated 38.6% of the day’s turnover, while the Banking and Materials sectors together accounted for 26.7%.

Foreign investors remained net sellers, posting a net outflow of Rs. 295.5 million.