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AS INDICES EDGE HIGHER CSE STARTS WEEK STEADY

CSE starts week steady as indices edge higher amid balanced trading

The Colombo Stock Exchange opened the week on a relatively flat note on Monday, 7 September 2026, with both benchmark indices closing marginally higher following a volatile trading session.The All Share Price Index gained 3.22 points, or 0.01%, to close at 21,623.66, while the S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index advanced by 7.63 points, or 0.13%, to end the session at 6,066.55. The ASPI opened strongly and briefly moved close to the 21,680 level during early trading before gradually losing momentum through the morning. Selling pressure persisted through much of the afternoon, pushing the index towards the 21,620 level, although a modest late recovery helped it finish marginally higher. The S&P SL20 demonstrated comparatively stronger performance despite giving up part of its early gains.

Total market turnover reached LKR 2.13 billion, with approximately 63.98 million shares changing hands during the session.The Banks sector dominated market activity, generating approximately LKR 473.33 million in turnover from 2.02 million shares. Hatton National Bank recorded the highest turnover within the sector at approximately LKR 266.70 million.Crossing transactions accounted for approximately LKR 778.53 million, representing around 36% of total equity turnover. The largest single crossing was recorded in ATL.N, where 12.60 million shares changed hands at LKR 24.00, generating LKR 302.40 million. Total ATL.N crossing activity reached approximately LKR 360.00 million, while notable blocks were also recorded in HNB.N and HPL.N.

Foreign investors continued to remain net sellers, although the outflow was relatively modest at LKR 18.54 million.Market breadth remained almost evenly balanced, with 106 securities advancing against 108 decliners, resulting in an advance-to-decline ratio of 0.98. This indicated relatively neutral broader market participation despite the marginal gains recorded by both benchmark indices.Hayleys emerged as the strongest positive contributor to the ASPI, adding 19.85 points to the index. ACL Cables, Sri Lanka Telecom, Hatton National Bank and Dialog Axiata also supported the market.

Lion Brewery recorded the largest negative contribution, reducing the ASPI by 8.81 points. Carson Cumberbatch, Haycarb, John Keells Holdings and Ceylon Cold Stores also weighed on the index.Among notable trades, ATL.N recorded the highest individual counter turnover at approximately LKR 368.73 million, followed by HPL.N with LKR 166.34 million and Overseas Realty with approximately LKR 80.36 million.Overall, the session reflected a steady start to the week, with both indices maintaining recent gains despite softer intraday momentum. Balanced market breadth and a modest foreign outflow suggested that investor sentiment remained cautious but broadly stable following the strong rally recorded in the previous week.