FINANCIAL CHRONICLE – During midday trading on Thursday, the Colombo Stock Exchange in Sri Lanka experienced a downward trend, according to data from the CSE. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) fell by 0.72 percent, which equates to a decline of 157.96 points, bringing it to a total of 21,759.64. Similarly, the S&P SL20 index decreased by 0.53 percent, or 32.18 points, resulting in a new level of 6,058.32.
Among the stocks that positively influenced the ASPI were the National Development Bank, which increased by 3 rupees to reach 113 rupees, LB Finance, which rose by 2.86 percent to 144 rupees, and Janashakthi Insurance, which saw a significant gain of 7.56 percent, reaching 45.80 rupees.
Conversely, several stocks negatively impacted the ASPI, including Dialog Axiata, which decreased by 2.47 percent to 31.60 rupees, John Keells Holdings, down 1.02 percent to 19.50 rupees, and Hatton National Bank, which fell by 0.97 percent to 410 rupees.
The market’s turnover for the day was recorded at 773 million rupees, with the capital goods sector contributing 231.4 million rupees to this total.
In global markets, Brent crude futures rebounded to over 94 dollars per barrel following military actions by Israel against Lebanon, amid a ceasefire between the US and Iran. Additionally, Iran has declared a suspension of oil tanker movements through the Strait of Hormuz.
Cargills Bank announced the successful listing of 294,200,000 shares following a rights issue, which raised a total of 2,500,700,000 rupees. (Colombo/Apr9/2026)
