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6 clusters · 6 sources · 28 days · First seen · Last updated

Colombo Stock Exchange market activity

Overview

The Colombo Stock Exchange has experienced fluctuations in turnover and sector dominance during August 2026, characterized by a significant surge in foreign net outflows. In mid-August, the benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) rose 0.56 percent, driven largely by the banking sector. Market turnover reached 2.78 billion rupees, with significant contributions from Hatton National Bank. By late August, turnover fell by 18.8 percent on August 24, even as trading volume increased. By August 28, the ASPI declined by 0.31 percent to 21,279.65 due to low trading volumes and net outflows from foreign investors. Foreign divestment has accelerated, with net outflows reaching Rs. 55.7 billion during the first eight months of 2026—more than double the Rs. 22.34 billion recorded during the same period last year. August 2026 marked the largest monthly net foreign outflow on record at approximately Rs. 19.46 billion. While selling was broad-based, three counters—Commercial Credit and Finance, Cargills, and RIL Property—accounted for roughly 84 percent of the net foreign selling in August. In early September, foreign selling continued. On a single trading day, outflows reached LKR 612.5 million, pushing the year-to-date cumulative net outflow above LKR 56 billion. On a subsequent Wednesday, the exchange saw a net outflow of LKR 71.29 million, driven significantly by a LKR 57.0 million exit from Diesel & Motor Engineering (DIMO). Despite this heavy foreign selling, market indices advanced during August, supported by local Sri Lankan investors. By September 10, the ASPI and S&P SL20 both fell by approximately 0.50 percent in a single session. During this period, banking stocks accounted for over 40 percent of total turnover. Trading activity has shown signs of volatility and thinning liquidity, with daily turnover dropping below LKR 1.0 billion—a 63.8 percent decline from the monthly average.

Entities

Colombo Stock Exchange · Cargills · Public Debt Management Office · Philippine Stock Exchange · All Share Price Index

Timeline

  1. 1 day ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Colombo Stock Exchange indices slip amid banking sector activity

    The Colombo Stock Exchange indices have slipped amid fluctuating turnover, with banking stocks driving a significant portion of recent trading activity in Sri Lanka.

  2. 3 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Colombo and Manila stock markets show divergent trends

    Sri Lanka's Colombo Bourse faces sustained foreign outflows led by DIMO, while the Philippine PSEi rebounded above 6,100 amid bargain hunting and foreign inflows.

  3. 10 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Colombo Stock Exchange sees surge in foreign net outflows

    Foreign net outflows on the Colombo Stock Exchange reached Rs. 55.7 billion in the first eight months of 2026, more than doubling the previous year's figures despite rising local investor support.

  4. 15 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    Colombo Stock Exchange shows mixed performance amid varying trading volumes

    The Colombo Stock Exchange has seen mixed results, with recent sessions reporting both index declines due to low volume and periods of growth driven by key local stocks.

  5. 19 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Colombo Stock Exchange turnover falls as Capital Goods sector dominates

    The Colombo Stock Exchange saw an 18.8% drop in turnover on August 24, 2026, though trading volume rose. Capital Goods, Materials, and Banking sectors drove most of the market activity.

  6. 30 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 5 sources
    Colombo Stock Exchange rises as banking sector drives turnover

    Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange rose on Thursday, led by strong activity in the banking sector. The ASPI increased by 0.56 percent amid signs of stabilizing macroeconomic conditions.

Sources

business.inquirer.net · economynext.com · lankanewspapers.com · newswire.lk · srilankabiz.lk · srilankachronicle.com

This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history