Indices close in red

Daily Mirror and EconomyNext report that Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed lower on Monday. EconomyNext, citing CSE data, says the All Share Price Index dropped 44.35 points, or 0.23%, to 19,640.56, while the S&P SL20 fell 11.76 points, or 0.21%, to 5,601.87.

Daily Mirror reports turnover exceeded Rs666 million, and EconomyNext gives the total as Rs666.29 million. EconomyNext says the banking industry group generated the highest turnover, at Rs185.67 million, and reports crossings worth Rs74.5 million in Access Engineering and Rs59 million in Commercial Bank of Ceylon. Daily Mirror also notes high-net-worth and institutional participation in Access Engineering, Commercial Bank and John Keells.

EconomyNext reports that Singer (Sri Lanka), Ceylon Cold Stores, LOLC Finance, ACL Cables and John Keells Holdings were among the positive contributors to the ASPI. It identifies Commercial Bank of Ceylon, Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka, Hayleys, Malwatte Valley Plantations and LOLC Holdings among the negative contributors. Daily Mirror also attributes the market’s decline to losses in Commercial Bank, Distilleries and Hayleys.

EconomyNext reports that NDB Securities Head of Research and Strategy Ray Wickremeratne described sentiment as subdued, with investors taking a wait-and-see approach amid escalating geopolitical tensions.