Colombo, Sri Lanka – 11 September 2026 – The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) concluded trading on Friday, September 11, 2026, with a mixed performance across its key indices. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) registered a marginal gain, while the S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index (S&P SL20) experienced a slight decline. The day’s trading saw moderate turnover, predominantly driven by domestic activity, against a backdrop of continued net foreign outflow.
Index Performance: ASPI Edges Up, S&P SL20 Dips Slightly
The All Share Price Index (ASPI) advanced by 25.00 points, or 0.12%, closing at 21,382.74. This uptick follows a previous close of 21,357.74. However, the year-to-date (YTD) return for the ASPI remains in negative territory at -5.49%.
Conversely, the S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index (S&P SL20) recorded a minor decrease of 1.46 points, or 0.02%, to settle at 6,002.46. Its YTD performance also reflects a negative trend, standing at -2.52%.
The total return indices for both main indices also showed minor movements, with the TRI on All Share (ASTRI) climbing to 33,678.39, while the TRI on S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index dipped to 12,747.91.
Turnover and Investor Activity
The market recorded a total equity turnover of approximately Rs. 1.13 billion (Rs. 1,129,818,061.10) for the day. This was supported by a total volume of 57,727,315 shares traded across 12,683 transactions.
Investor composition highlighted a significant reliance on domestic participation:
- Domestic Purchases: Rs. 1,095,276,906.75
- Domestic Sales: Rs. 1,044,757,814.90
- Foreign Purchases: Rs. 34,541,154.35
- Foreign Sales: Rs. 85,060,246.20
A net foreign outflow of Rs. 50,519,091.85 was observed, indicating continued foreign investor divestment from the market.
The overall market capitalization for the day stood at Rs. 7,764,703,499,944.55, marking a daily change of 0.22%.
Market Breadth and Valuations
Market breadth remained largely balanced, with 99 companies advancing and 100 declining, while 68 stocks closed unchanged. This suggests a cautious trading environment despite the ASPI’s positive close.
Key valuation metrics remained stable, with the Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio at 11.34x, Price-to-Book Value (P/BV) at 1.29x, and a Dividend Yield (DY) of 3.22%.
Key Market Movers
Companies positively contributing to the ASPI included HAYCARB (HAYC.N), CARGILLS (CARG.N), and SAMPATH BANK (SAMP.N). Conversely, major drag on the index came from companies such as MELSTACORP (MELS.N), CEYLON INSURANCE (CINS.N), and LION BREWERY (BREW.N).
The top gainers for the day included INDUSTRIAL ASPH. and CITRUS WASKADUWA, while ROYAL PALMS and C M HOLDINGS were among the top losers.
Sectoral Performance Highlights
An analysis of year-to-date returns across industry groups revealed strong performances in specific sectors:
- Telecommunication Services: 54%
- Commercial & Professional Services: 35%
- Real Estate Management & Development: 24%
- Health Care Equipment & Services: 9%
- Transportation: 6%
These figures highlight areas of significant growth and investor interest over the year, providing insights into potential long-term trends.
Economic Context and Global Market Influences
Sri Lanka’s economic indicators show a mixed picture. The latest Consumer Price Inflation (CCPI) stands at 7.20%, while the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) is at 5.10%. Quarterly GDP growth for Q1, Q2, and Q3 2024 was 1.5%, 2.0%, and 1.2% respectively, signaling a gradual recovery from previous negative growth periods.
The daily indicative exchange rate for the US Dollar stood at Rs. 330.17 (Sell). Policy rates, including the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at 8.75% and Treasury Bill rates around 10.21%, reflect the Central Bank’s stance on monetary policy.
Globally, frontier markets like Sri Lanka recorded a modest 0.1% daily return but a -5.5% YTD return, placing it lower among its APAC peers. Developed markets, particularly Japan (Nikkei 225 up 1.4% daily, 27.2% YTD), continued to show robust performance, while some emerging markets like Indonesia faced significant YTD declines.
Corporate Announcements
Several corporate announcements were made today:
- Pegasus Hotels of Ceylon PLC announced an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on September 11, 2026, to discuss a Sub Division of Shares.
- C M Holdings PLC declared a cash dividend of Rs. 0.40 per share, with the XD date set for September 11, 2026.
- Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC disclosed that it has exceeded the 10% threshold as per Section 36 of the Take-Overs and Mergers Code of Sri Lanka 1995 (as amended in 2003) Rules.
- Numerous companies also held or announced Annual General Meetings (AGMs) and Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) throughout September and October.
The CSE’s performance on September 11, 2026, reflects a market grappling with sustained foreign outflows but showing resilience through domestic trading and slight gains in the ASPI. Investors will continue to monitor economic data and corporate developments for future direction.
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