CSE declines 4.85% during week

Saturday, 21 March 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

APSI movement in past month; Rs. 1.06 t in value lost since Mideast war broke out

The Colombo stock market ended on the up yesterday, but was still lower than the previous week’s close as the economic fallout from the Middle East crisis continues to weigh on sentiment.

During the week, the benchmark ASPI fell 4.85% or 1,052.82 points while the active S&P SL20 index declined 5.46% or 332.46 points. Since the Middle East conflict erupted on 28 February, the CSE has lost about Rs. 1.06 trillion in value.

Yesterday, the ASPI ended on the up by 1.85% or 375.72 points at 20,639.73 and the S&P SL20 ended up 1.78% or 100.78 points at 5,752.19. Market turnover was nearly Rs. 4.4 billion on over 215.2 million shares traded. Foriegn investor were net sellers on a net outflow of Rs. 783 million.

First Capital Research said the bourse recorded a moderate gain during the session, supported by improved domestic trading momentum and ease in global oil prices, despite escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Investors actively engaged in bargain hunting, particularly within banking sector counters, driving market activity. SAMP, HAYL, JKH, DOCK and MELS emerged as the top positive contributors to the index.

Retail participation remained relatively subdued, whereas HNW investor activity was elevated, with notable interest in JKH, which recorded Rs. 628 million in crossings, followed by HNB and DOCK. The capital goods sector led the daily turnover with a share of 42%, followed by the banking, and insurance sectors collectively contributing 25%.