COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – 03 September 2026 – The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) demonstrated modest positive momentum on Thursday, September 3, 2026, with both key indices, the All Share Price Index (ASPI) and the S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index, closing higher amidst active trading. The daily report released by the CSE indicates a steady market performance, underpinned by notable domestic and foreign investor participation.
Index Performance Overview
The All Share Price Index (ASPI) showed an upward trend, gaining 69.47 points or 0.33% to conclude the trading day at 21,395.11. Similarly, the S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index also registered an increase, rising by 11.75 points or 0.20% to settle at 5,995.25. While today’s performance was positive, the Year-To-Date (YTD) returns for both indices remain in negative territory, with ASPI at -5.43% and S&P Sri Lanka 20 at -2.63%.
- All Share Price Index (ASPI):
- Today’s Close: 21,395.11 (▲ 0.33%)
- Previous Close: 21,325.64
- Highest YTD: 23,992.11
- Lowest YTD: 20,264.01
- YTD Return: -5.43%
- S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index:
- Today’s Close: 5,995.25 (▲ 0.20%)
- Previous Close: 5,983.50
- Highest YTD: 6,750.50
- Lowest YTD: 5,651.41
- YTD Return: -2.63%
Market Turnover and Investor Activity
Total turnover for the day reached a robust Rs. 2,446,498,640.55 (approximately Rs. 2.45 billion), reflecting active participation across various sectors. Market capitalization stood at Rs. 7,735,276,038,659.40, marking a daily change of 0.38%.
A positive trend was observed in foreign investor activity, with a net foreign inflow of Rs. 68,356,278.35. Foreign purchases amounted to Rs. 153,248,000.80, while foreign sales were Rs. 84,891,722.45. Domestic investors accounted for the majority of the trading, with purchases of Rs. 2,293,250,639.75 and sales of Rs. 2,361,606,918.10.
Market Multiples and Trading Statistics
The market’s Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio was recorded at 11.42x, with a Price-to-Book Value (P/BV) of 1.31x and a Dividend Yield (DY) of 3.04%. A total of 289 companies are listed on the CSE, with 261 companies traded today across 17,957 trades.
Key Market Movers
Several companies contributed significantly to the ASPI’s movements today:
Top 10 ASPI Positive Contributors:
- COMMERCIAL BANK (CINS.N): +41.92 points
- HAYCARB (HAYC.N): +11.07 points
- ROYAL CERAMIC (RCL.N): +8.82 points
- DIPPED PRODUCTS (DIPD.N): +8.26 points
- ACCESS ENG SL (AEL.N): +7.00 points
Top 10 ASPI Negative Contributors:
- JOHN KEELLS HOLDINGS (JKH.N): -22.14 points
- BIL.N: -10.87 points
- LION BREWERY (BREW.N): -8.81 points
- HNB.N: -7.76 points
- CARGILLS (CARS.N): -7.70 points
Top 10 Gainers by VWAP Change:
- COMMERCIAL DEV. (COMD.N0000): +10.12%
- C M HOLDINGS (COLO.N0000): +7.92%
- ACL PLASTICS (APLA.N0000): +7.18%
- PALM GARDEN HOTL (PALM.N0000): +7.11%
- ARPICO INSURANCE (AINS-N-0000): +6.77%
Top 10 Losers by VWAP Change:
- BALANGODA (BALA.N0000): -6.45%
- KANDY HOTELS (KHC.N0000): -5.11%
- RENUKA FOODS (COCO.X0000): -5.06%
- HAPUGASTENNE (HAPU.N0000): -5.05%
- VALLIBEL FINANCE (VFIN.N0000): -4.62%
Sectoral Performance
Analyzing the GICS Industry Group statistics, the Telecommunication Services sector continues to lead in Year-To-Date (YTD) returns at a remarkable 49%. Other strong YTD performers include Commercial & Professional Services (36%), Real Estate Management & Development (22%), Health Care Equipment & Services (8%), and Transportation (7%).
Economic Overview
Key economic indicators on September 3, 2026, show an indicative exchange rate of approximately 330.17 LKR to 1 USD. Consumer Price Inflation (CCPI) was reported at 7.20%, while the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) stood at 5.10%. The Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) is 8.75% and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) is 2.00%. Crude Oil Brent prices are at $95.38, reflecting global energy market dynamics.
Corporate Announcements
The CSE also published various corporate announcements. Notably, Pegasus Hotels of Ceylon PLC announced a share subdivision effective September 11, 2026. Several companies declared cash dividends, with payments scheduled throughout September and into October 2026. These include ACL Plastics PLC, Convenience Foods (Lanka) PLC, Kelani Cables PLC, Bogawantalawa Tea Estates PLC, Lanka Ashok Leyland PLC, John Keells PLC, Dialog Axiata PLC, and Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC, among others.
Global Market Context
In the broader APAC region, Sri Lanka’s CSE All-Share’s daily return of 0.3% places it within the positive performance range for frontier markets, alongside Bangladesh (0.4%) and Pakistan (0.3%). Emerging markets like South Korea (0.3%) and Malaysia (0.4%) also saw positive daily returns. However, in terms of YTD return, Sri Lanka’s -5.4% trails behind many APAC peers, highlighting ongoing economic adjustments.
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