Colombo, Sri Lanka – 04 September 2026 – The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) concluded the trading week on 04 September 2026 with the benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) posting a modest gain, despite a significant reduction in overall market turnover compared to the previous week. The latest weekly report from the CSE highlights a mixed sentiment among investors, with increased trading activity but a sharp decline in transaction value.
Key Market Indicators Reflect Nuanced Performance
For the week ending 04 September 2026, the All Share Price Index (ASPI) advanced to 21,620.44 points, up from 21,315.91 points recorded in the prior week. Similarly, the S&P SL20 Index also saw an uptick, closing at 6,058.92 points, an increase from 6,005.34 points. This positive movement in key indices signals a cautious recovery or consolidation within the equity market.
Market capitalization expanded to Rs. 7.82 trillion (7,821,060,854,395), up from Rs. 7.72 trillion (7,716,270,670,167) the previous week. However, this growth was juxtaposed with a notable drop in liquidity. The total turnover for the week plummeted to Rs. 9.74 billion (9,736,267,920), a substantial decrease from Rs. 19.85 billion (19,852,706,103) in the preceding week. Despite the lower turnover, the number of trades surged, reaching 90,269 compared to 44,221 trades previously, indicating a higher frequency of smaller transactions.
Equity Market Activity: Foreigners Turn Net Sellers
The equity segment dominated the week’s turnover, mirroring the overall market figures. Domestic purchases accounted for Rs. 9.43 billion, while domestic sales were Rs. 8.83 billion. Foreign investor participation saw a net outflow for the week, with foreign purchases totalling Rs. 301.63 million against foreign sales of Rs. 901.35 million. This trend suggests foreign investors were net sellers, potentially rebalancing portfolios.
The total volume of shares traded dramatically increased to 396.11 million from 160.75 million in the prior week, further emphasizing the shift towards higher volume, lower-value trades.
Top Performers: Industrial Asph. Leads Gainers
The week celebrated several strong performers, with companies across various sectors recording significant price increases:
- INDUSTRIAL ASPH. emerged as the top gainer, soaring by 16.67% to close at Rs. 0.70.
- SWISSTEK followed with a robust 16.31% increase, reaching Rs. 80.60.
- ACL PLASTICS jumped 15.91% to Rs. 165.75.
- C M HOLDINGS saw its share price rise by 12.57% to Rs. 38.50.
- RADIANT GEMS appreciated by 12.26%, closing at Rs. 132.75.
Underperformers: Kelani Tyres Among Top Losers
Conversely, several stocks experienced downward pressure during the week:
- TAL LANKA led the decliners, falling by 8.78% to Rs. 29.10.
- KELANI TYRES shed 8.40% of its value, closing at Rs. 85.10.
- KANDY HOTELS decreased by 7.86% to Rs. 12.90.
- WEALTHTRUST saw a 5.93% dip, finishing at Rs. 11.10.
- LAUGFS GAS [X] declined by 5.71% to Rs. 33.00.
Sectoral Highlights
A detailed look at the GICS Industry Group Statistics reveals varied performance:
- The Telecommunication Services sector showed strong growth, primarily driven by Dialog, which gained 4.08%.
- Materials and Capital Goods sectors also registered notable gains, with companies like Industrial Asph. and Swisstek contributing significantly.
- Conversely, the Automobiles & Components sector, particularly Kelani Tyres, faced a downturn.
- The Consumer Services sector also saw some prominent losers, including Tal Lanka and Kandy Hotels.
Year-to-Date Performance
Looking at the year-to-date performance, both major indices remain in negative territory. The ASPI has seen a 4.44% decline since the beginning of the year, while the S&P SL20 Index has contracted by 1.60%. This indicates that despite weekly fluctuations, the broader market trend for 2026 so far has been challenging for investors.
Corporate Debt Market Remains Active
The corporate debt market also saw activity, albeit at a lower scale. For 04 September 2026, the value of turnover in corporate debt was Rs. 5.22 million across 4 trades, involving 50,000 units. Banks continued to be prominent issuers in this space, with various debentures traded.
The week’s trading at the Colombo Stock Exchange presented a mixed bag of results, with indices showing resilience despite a sharp drop in overall turnover, highlighting a cautious yet active investment landscape in Sri Lanka.
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