CSE extends losing streak as July deepens 2026 decline

Tuesday, 4 August 2026 02:33 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) extended its losing streak for a third consecutive month in July, pushing both benchmark indices deeper into negative territory for the year, with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) down 6.61% year-to-date (YTD) and the S&P SL20 Index lower by 3.53%.

The ASPI fell 5.09% in July, while the S&P SL20 Index declined 4.27%, marking their sharpest monthly losses since March and extending declines recorded in May and June.

The latest performance means the ASPI has posted losses in five of the seven months so far this year, with gains recorded only in January (+5.25%) and April (+7%). The S&P SL20 has similarly registered gains only in January (+7.86%) and April (+5.1%), while declining in the remaining five months.

July’s decline followed the steep correction in March, when the ASPI fell 11.24% and the S&P SL20 lost 11.03%, making July the second-worst month for both indices in 2026.

After a strong second half of 2025, when the ASPI recorded six consecutive monthly gains between July and December, market momentum has weakened markedly this year, with only two months delivering positive returns for both benchmark indices.