CSE ends week with indices down amidst high turnover

The Colombo stock market yesterday ended the holiday-shortened week on a mixed note amidst moderate turnover.

The benchmark ASPI gained by 16 points whilst the active S&P SL20 was flat. Turnover was Rs. 5.6 billion involving 306.7 million shares.

During the week, the ASPI and the S&P SL20 lost 0.03% and 1.19% respectively, whilst recording an average daily turnover of Rs. 8.22 billion.

First Capital said the market exhibited high levels of intraday volatility with the ASPI ultimately closing at 20,992, up by a marginal 16 points. The ASPI showcased positive momentum in the early hours and peaked by the afternoon, after which it witnessed a drastic drop amidst high volatility, which resulted in the index closing broadly on a standstill. Positive and negative contributors for the day remained balanced, with the top positive drivers being RIL, CTC, PLR, RICH and JKH. Retail and HNW investors were moderately engaged, with selling focused primarily on Banking and Blue-Chip stocks. Turnover was 18% lower than the monthly average. The Capital Goods sector led turnover contributions with a 19% share, while the Consumer Services and Real Estate sectors stood next in line, with a collective contribution of 30%. 

Asia Securities said the index initially surged to 21,065.56 (+90 points) but failed to hold, retreating due to broad-based profit-taking and trading within the 21,000–20,969 range until close. Buying interest remained strong in the property sector, with MDL (+25.0%), EAST (+9.5%), PLR (+8.8%), RIL (+8.4%), CLND (+2.8%), and OSEA (+0.3%) posting gains. However, investors showed mixed interest in construction sector stocks, as KCAB (+7.3%) and ALUM (+1.6%) advanced, while SIRA (-1.5%) and AEL (-0.5%) declined during the session. RIL (+9 points), CTC (+5 points), and PLR (+4 points) came in as the major index movers while CTHR (-15 points) and SPEN (-6 points) ended as the biggest laggards on the ASPI for the day. The market breadth was positive with 115 price gainers and 110 decliners.

Turnover was led by RIL (Rs. 590 million), EBCR (Rs. 446 million), and CITH (Rs. 340 million). 

Foreigners recorded a net inflow of Rs. 9.1 million. Net foreign buying topped in CFVF at Rs. 24 million and selling topped in SUN at Rs. 30.5 million.

NDB Securities said high net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in E B Creasy & Company, Colombo Land & Development Company and RIL Property. Mixed interest was observed in Hikkaduwa Beach Resort, Myland Developments and Prime Lands Residencies whilst retail interest was noted in Lanka Credit and Business Finance, Beruwala Resorts and Waskaduwa Beach Resort.

The Capital Goods sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to E.B. Creasy & Company) whilst the sector index gained 0.34%. The share price of E.B. Creasy & Company gained Rs. 2 to Rs. 69.

The Consumer Services sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to Hikkaduwa Beach Resort) whilst the sector index increased by 0.58%. The share price of Hikkaduwa Beach Resort moved down by 60 cents to Rs. 3.60.

RIL Property, Myland Developments and Prime Lands Residencies were also included amongst the top turnover contributors. The share price of RIL Property increased by Rs. 2.50 to Rs. 32.20. The share price of Myland Developments recorded a gain of Rs. 2.80 to Rs. 14. The share price of Prime Lands Residencies appreciated by Rs. 2.40 to Rs. 29.70.

Ambeon Holdings (GREG) announced that it disposed of 36,422,571 ordinary shares (i.e. 22.4% of the total issued shares) of Dankotuwa Porcelain (DPL) for Rs.752.2 million on 3 September 2025. Separately Ambeon Capital PLC yesterday acquired a controlling 51% stake in My Lands Group for Rs. 157.25 million.