COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – 02 October 2026 – The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) concluded the trading week on October 02, 2026, with both key indices, the All Share Price Index (ASPI) and the S&P SL20 Index, recording a dip amidst a slight uptick in overall turnover. The weekly report, released today, provides a detailed overview of market performance, investor activity, and sectoral movements.
Market Indices Reflect Modest Decline
The ASPI closed the week at 20,812.64 points, marking a decrease from the previous week’s close of 21,037.35 points. Similarly, the S&P SL20 Index, which tracks the performance of the 20 largest and most liquid stocks, ended at 5883.5 points, down from 5940.72 points recorded in the prior week. The Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) stood at 10.76, a slight reduction from 10.89, while the Price to Book Value (PBV) was 1.24, marginally lower than 1.26. The Dividend Yield (DY) saw a minor increase to 3.19 from 3.15.
Turnover and Investor Activity
Total turnover for the week reached Rs. 5,466,945,249, a marginal increase from Rs. 5,461,120,491 in the previous week. Equity turnover accounted for the entirety of this figure. Domestic purchases totalled Rs. 5,246,019,056, while domestic sales were Rs. 4,972,142,280. Foreign investors demonstrated increased buying interest, with foreign purchases rising to Rs. 220,926,193 from Rs. 126,392,299 previously. Conversely, foreign sales decreased to Rs. 494,802,968 from Rs. 527,710,061. This indicates a reduced net foreign outflow compared to the prior week. The total volume of turnover stood at 255,910,876 shares, executed through 64,662 trades.
Leading Performers and Laggards
The week saw some notable shifts among individual stocks:
Top 5 Gainers:
- STANDARD CAPITAL: Closed at Rs. 44.30, a gain of 13.88%
- CIT: Closed at Rs. 357.00, a gain of 7.53%
- TESS AGRO [X]: Closed at Rs. 1.50, a gain of 7.14%
- C T LAND: Closed at Rs. 37.90, a gain of 6.76%
- LION BREWERY: Closed at Rs. 1,858.75, a gain of 6.14%
Top 5 Losers:
- YORK ARCADE: Closed at Rs. 8.80, a decrease of (27.87%)
- SERENDIB LAND: Closed at Rs. 2,753.75, a decrease of (19.22%)
- INDUSTRIAL ASPH.: Closed at Rs. 0.60, a decrease of (14.29%)
- SOFTLOGIC FIN: Closed at Rs. 3.50, a decrease of (10.26%)
- RADIANT GEMS: Closed at Rs. 120.00, a decrease of (10.11%)
Lion Brewery and Distilleries were among the top contributors to the ASPI’s change for the week.
Sectoral Performance Overview
A review of GICS Industry Group performance reveals a mixed bag. The Utilities sector showed a positive movement, closing at 1,943.16 points, up from 1,937.29 previously. Automobiles & Components also edged up. In contrast, several key sectors experienced declines, including Banks, Capital Goods, Commercial & Professional Services, Diversified Financials, Energy, Food & Staples Retailing, and Food Beverage & Tobacco. Year-to-date, the ASPI has recorded an 8.01% decline, while the S&P SL20 is down 4.45%, reflecting persistent market challenges throughout 2026.
Corporate Debt Market Remains Subdued
Activity in the Corporate Debt market was notably quiet this week, with a value of turnover recorded at Rs. 0, a sharp contrast to the previous day’s Rs. 100,865,900. This suggests a cautious stance or lack of significant transactions in corporate debentures during the reporting period.
The CSE continues to navigate a dynamic economic landscape, with investor sentiment reflecting both cautious optimism and lingering concerns.
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