The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) saw a surge in activity yesterday, revving up ahead of tomorrow’s Parliamentary Election, with the benchmark ASPI briefly touching the 13,000-point mark and turnover crossing Rs. 4 billion.
By midday, the ASPI surpassed 13,000 points, but closed the day at 12,988 points, up 0.9%. The active S&P SL20 also gained 0.85%. Market turnover reached Rs. 4.3 billion, involving 132.3 million shares, as investor sentiment remained bullish ahead of Thursday’s General Election.
The National People’s Power (NPP), led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, is aiming for a two-thirds majority, though some skeptics remain cautious. First Capital noted that the Colombo Bourse sustained its bullish momentum for the fourth consecutive day, with most sectors seeing price gains, particularly in the banking sector.
The ASPI began on a positive note and touched the 13,000-level mid-day before closing at 12,989, gaining just 114 points. JKH, RICH, CTHR, BUKI, and DFCC were the top contributors to the index’s performance.
Turnover increased by 76.8% from Monday’s session, marking a 46.5% rise compared to the monthly average. The banking sector led the turnover with a 47% share, followed by the Food, Beverage, and Tobacco, and Diversified Financials sectors, which jointly contributed 24%. Foreign investors were net sellers, with a net outflow of Rs. 25.2 million.
NDB Securities highlighted the ASPI’s positive performance, driven by price gains in companies such as John Keells Holdings, Richard Pieris & Company, and C T Holdings. The banking sector was the top contributor to turnover, with shares like Hatton National Bank and Sampath Bank seeing price increases.
Crossings were recorded in Hatton National Bank, Overseas Realty, and LOLC Holdings, which accounted for 40.6% of the turnover. Mixed interest was observed in Sampath Bank, Browns Investments, and John Keells Holdings, while retail interest was noted in stocks like Waskaduwa Beach Resort and Maharaja Foods.
The banking sector’s index gained 0.58%, with Hatton National Bank’s share price rising by 75 cents to Rs. 230.75 and Sampath Bank’s share price increasing by 40 cents to Rs. 89.50.
The Food, Beverage, and Tobacco sector was the second-highest contributor to turnover, with Browns Investments seeing a 10-cent increase in its share price, which rose to Rs. 6.10. Overseas Realty and John Keells Holdings also featured among the top turnover contributors, with share prices of Overseas Realty gaining 30 cents to Rs. 19, and John Keells Holdings increasing by 50 cents to Rs. 21.40.