Trading was roughly 60% below the monthly average, the thinnest session in recent weeks.
Trading on the Colombo Stock Exchange fell to LKR 595.97 million on Monday, the lowest daily turnover in at least the past two weeks and roughly 60% below the monthly average of about LKR 1.5 billion.
The ASPI fell 0.44% to 20,943.79, and the S&P SL20 lost 0.34% to 5,920.72. Turnover has been declining: it was LKR 1.31 billion on September 24, LKR 815 million on September 25 and LKR 596 million on Monday. The one earlier session that came close was September 21, at LKR 750 million. Share volume moved the other way, rising 21.4% to 32.12 million shares, which points to a lot of low-priced trades.
The market was quiet across the board. John Keells Holdings was the most active counter at LKR 75 million, or 13% of turnover. Commercial Bank of Ceylon and Sampath Bank-linked counters were among the index’s biggest drags, along with CARS, DIAL, CINS and SEMB. ASPH fell 14% and ACME 10%.
Foreign investors were net buyers by LKR 7.9 million, after net selling of LKR 162 million and LKR 193 million in the two previous sessions. Net foreign selling stands at LKR 1.51 billion for September and LKR 57.25 billion for the year.
The market trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.8 times and a price-to-book ratio of 1.3 times.
Business Impact
Thin turnover means prices can be moved by small trades, and it makes it harder for large investors to buy or sell without affecting prices. For companies, low trading activity can also make equity fundraising less attractive in the near term.
Key Numbers
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Turnover | LKR 595.97 Mn (-26.9% day-on-day) |
| Monthly average turnover | ~LKR 1.5 Bn |
| Share volume | 32.12 Mn (+21.4%) |
| ASPI | 20,943.79 (-0.44%) |
| S&P SL20 | 5,920.72 (-0.34%) |
| Net foreign flow | +LKR 7.89 Mn |
| PER / PBV | 10.8x / 1.3x |
Source: Colombo Stock Exchange market data and publicly available market information.