CSE ends on the up; ASPI sets new benchmark

Shaking off two previous muted trading sessions, the Colombo stock market yesterday posted a strong recovery, gaining over Rs. 37 billion in value and the ASPI ending on an all-time high.

The ASPI closed 0.43% on the up, gaining 100.90 points to close on a new high at 23,708.70, surpassing the previous benchmark set on 12 November 2025 of 23,659.70 points. 

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) in a statement yesterday said the milestone reflects robust investor confidence across the market, marking a definitive start to the 2026 trading year.

The active S&P SL20 gained 0.73% or 47.21 points to 6,541.97. Turnover neared Rs. 9.3 billion on over 326.2 million shares traded. Foreign investor activity was heavy on the selling side on a net outflow of over Rs. 1.7 billion.

First Capital Research said the top positive contributors to the ASPI were DIAL, MELS, NTB, LIOC, and HAYL. 

HNW participation was high, accounting for over 34% of the session’s turnover through crossings, with interest mainly in blue chip, Banks, and Construction sector counters. Retail participants were more focused on lower valued stocks. 

The Telecommunications sector contributed 19% of total turnover driven by crossings in DIAL, contributing Rs. 1.6 billion to turnover (17.7%), while the Capital Goods and Banking sectors together accounted for 29%. 

NDB Securities said high net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in Dialog Axiata, Sampath Bank, and Cargills. Mixed interest was observed in ACL Cables, R I L Property, and Prime Lands Residencies, whilst retail interest was noted in Lanka Credit and Business Finance, York Arcade Holdings, and Muller & Phipps. 

The Telecommunications sector was the top contributor to the market turnover due to Dialog Axiata, while the sector index gained 4.93%. The share price of Dialog Axiata increased by Rs. 1.70 to close at Rs. 33.60.

The Capital Goods sector was the second highest contributor due to ACL Cables, with the sector index increasing by 0.28%. The share price of ACL Cables closed flat at Rs. 102.

Sampath Bank, Prime Lands Residencies, and R I L Property were also included amongst the top turnover contributors. The share price of Sampath Bank moved up by Rs. 0.25 to close at Rs. 155.25. The share price of Prime Lands Residencies recorded a gain of Rs. 0.70 to close at Rs. 40. The share price of R I L Property appreciated by Rs. 0.50 to Rs. 38.10.

 

The ASPI closed 0.43% on the up, gaining 100.90 points to close on a new high 23,708.70 surpassing the previous benchmark set in 12 November 2025 of 23,659.70 points. The Colombo Stock Market in a statement yesterday said the milestone reflects robust investor confidence across the market, marking a definitive start to the 2026 trading year.

The active S&P SL20 gained 0.73% or 47.21 points to 6,541.97. Turnover neared Rs. 9.3 billion on over 326.2 million shares traded. Foreign investor activity was heavy on the selling side on a net outflow of over Rs. 1.7 billion.

First Capital Research said the top positive contributors to the ASPI were DIAL, MELS, NTB, LIOC and HAYL. 

HNW participation was high, accounting for over 34% of the session’s turnover through crossings with interest mainly in blue chip, banks and construction sector counters. Retail participants were more focused on lower valued stocks. 

The telecommunication sector contributed 19% of total turnover driven by crossings in DIAL, contributing Rs. 1.6 billion to turnover (17.7%), while capital goods and banking sectors together accounted for 29%. 

NDB Securities said high net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in Dialog Axiata, Sampath Bank, Cargills. Mixed interest was observed in ACL Cables, R I L Property and Prime Lands Residencies whilst retail interest was noted in Lanka Credit and Business Finance, York Arcade Holdings and Muller & Phipps. 

The telecommunication services sector was the top contributor to the market turnover due to Dialog Axiata while the sector index gained 4.93%. The share price of Dialog Axiata increased by Rs. 1.70 to close at Rs. 33.60.

The capital goods sector was the second highest contributor due to ACL Cables with the sector index increasing by 0.28%. The share price of ACL Cables closed flat at Rs. 102.00.

Sampath Bank, Prime Lands Residencies and R I L Property were also included amongst the top turnover contributors. The share price of Sampath Bank moved up by 25 cents to close at Rs. 155.25. The share price of Prime Lands Residencies recorded a gain of 70 cents to close at Rs. 40. The share price of R I L Property appreciated by 50 cents to Rs. 38.10.