Tuesday Dec 02, 2025
Tuesday Dec 02, 2025
Tuesday, 2 December 2025 03:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Colombo stock market yesterday opened December and a new week with a steep decline in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah which ravaged the country over the weekend.
The benchmark index fell sharply to a low 21,904.21 within the first half hour of trading yesterday and then recovered to nearly 22,400 points but gradually declined.
The ASPI closed down 3.04% or 690.76 points to 22,022.06 and the active S&P SL20 lost 2.89% or 181.16 points to 6,085.87.
Market turnover was over Rs. 5.2 billion on nearly 236.5 million shares traded. Foreign investors were net sellers with net outflow totalling over Rs. 106.2 million.
First Capital Research said the Colombo Bourse opened with a sharp decline as panic selling swept the market following adverse weather conditions.
The Construction sector counters saw a notable pickup in investor interest, as the recent flood-related damage to infrastructure heightened expectations of future rebuilding activity.
The Capital Goods sector accounted for 29.1% of total turnover, followed by Banking and Materials sectors, which collectively contributed 34.8%.
NDB Securities said the ASPI closed in red as a result of price losses in counters such as CAL 5-year Closed-End Fund, Industrial Asphalts and Kandy Hotels Company.
High net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in Access Engineering, Hatton National Bank and Hemas Holdings.
Mixed interest was observed in Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank and Tokyo Cement Company while retail interest was noted in SMB Leasing, Hikkaduwa Beach Resort and Waskaduwa Beach Resort.
The Capital Goods sector was the top contributor to the market turnover due to Access Engineering and John Keells Holdings with the sector index losing 1.72%. The share price of Access Engineering increased by Rs. 2.40 to close at Rs. 74 and John Keells Holdings declined by 30 cents to Rs. 21.80.
The Banking sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover due to Hatton National Bank, Sampath Bank and Commercial Bank with the sector index decreasing by 3.56%. The share price of Hatton National Bank lost Rs. 9.25 to close at Rs. 395.50.
The share price of Sampath Bank moved down by Rs. 5.75 to close at Rs. 140 and Commercial Bank recorded ended Rs. 7.75 lower at Rs. 200.25.
