Colombo, Sri Lanka – 29 September 2026 – The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) concluded trading on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, with key indices experiencing a decline, though total turnover for the day surpassed the Rs. 1 billion mark. Despite the overall downward trend, the market witnessed a notable positive net foreign inflow, suggesting continued international investor interest.
Index Performance Reflects Market Caution
The bellwether All Share Price Index (ASPI) shed 125.97 points, closing at 20,817.82, a daily decline of 0.60%. The S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index (S&P SL20), which tracks the top 20 liquid and large-cap stocks, also trended downwards, dropping 24.32 points (0.41%) to end the day at 5,896.40. These movements contributed to year-to-date (YTD) losses for both indices, with the ASPI down 7.98% and the S&P SL20 recording a 4.24% decrease since the start of 2026.
Month-to-date (MTD) returns were also negative, with the ASPI losing 2.44% and the S&P SL20 declining by 1.89% in September. The ASPI’s highest YTD point was recorded at 23,992.11, while its lowest stood at 20,264.01. Similarly, the S&P SL20 saw a YTD high of 6,750.50 and a low of 5,651.41.
Turnover and Investor Activity
Total equity turnover for the day reached an impressive Rs. 1,010,213,001.30, demonstrating healthy trading volumes despite the index dips. The market capitalization for equity stood at Rs. 7,544,390,019,464.75. Domestic investors accounted for the vast majority of trading activity, with purchases totaling Rs. 984,497,740.95 and sales reaching Rs. 1,004,545,459.25.
Significantly, foreign investors recorded a positive net inflow of Rs. 20,047,718.30, with foreign purchases amounting to Rs. 25,715,260.35 against sales of Rs. 5,667,542.05. This continued foreign confidence, albeit in smaller figures, remains a crucial indicator for the market.
A total of 262 companies traded during the day out of 289 listed on the exchange, with 16,275 trades executed. The average daily turnover for the year-to-date is Rs. 3.68 billion, with an average daily share volume of 142.76 million and an average of 27,680 trades.
Market Multiples and Key Statistics
The market’s Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio was reported at 10.77x, with the Price-to-Book Value (P/BV) ratio at 1.25x. The Dividend Yield (DY) stood at 3.19%, providing insight into overall market valuation and investor returns.
Top Performers and Laggards
Among the top gainers for the day were:
- RENUKA HOTELS (RCH.N) with a 5.16% increase
- LEE HEDGES (SHAW.N) rising by 4.47%
- EQUITY TWO PLC (ETWO.N) up by 3.04%
Conversely, some of the significant losers included:
- YORK ARCADE (YORK.N) experiencing a sharp decline of 23.42%
- SERENDIB LAND (SLND.N) dropping 19.22%
- SAMSON INTERNAT. (SIL.N) falling by 8.35%
Key negative contributors to the ASPI’s dip included DIALOG, COMMERCIAL BANK, and OVERSEAS REALTY. Positive contributions came from CARS.N, LION BREWERY, and CEYLON TOBACCO.
Sectoral Highlights
From a year-to-date perspective, the Telecommunication Services sector has shown exceptional growth, posting a 46% return. Commercial & Professional Services followed with a 25% YTD return, and Real Estate Management & Development recorded a 16% gain. Transportation (3%) and Health Care Equipment & Services (2%) also showed positive YTD performance.
Global Market Context
Globally, several APAC markets displayed varied performance. Developed markets like Japan (30.3% YTD return) and Singapore (23.1%) showed strong gains. Emerging markets in the region, such as Taiwan (64.7%) and South Korea (63.0%), recorded significant YTD increases. Sri Lanka’s YTD return of -8.0% placed it among the underperforming frontier and emerging markets in the region. Concerns in global news, including OpenAI’s safety issues and surging Treasury yields after geopolitical developments, could influence broader market sentiment.
Economic Indicators Remain Steady
Local economic indicators for the day noted an indicative exchange rate of 330.79 LKR to the USD. Consumer Price Inflation (CCPI) stood at 7.20% and National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) at 5.10%. Treasury Bill rates were 10.21% for both annual and quarterly durations, while the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) was 8.75%.
Corporate Announcements Overview
The CSE also saw a series of corporate announcements throughout the day. Noteworthy updates included various companies detailing their Rights Issues, Scrip Dividends, and Cash Dividends. Several Annual General Meetings (AGMs) and Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) were scheduled, with some opting for virtual formats. For instance, KERNER HAUS GLOBAL SOLUTIONS PLC held both an AGM and an EGM virtually today, while SINGER FINANCE (LANKA) PLC announced its EGM for October 15, 2026. Trading halts were also implemented for NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BANK PLC earlier in the day pending disclosures, which were subsequently published.
Today’s trading session underscores a cautious investor approach amidst fluctuating indices, although consistent foreign buying and robust turnover suggest underlying market resilience.
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