ECONOMYNEXT – The Colombo All Share Price index (ASPI) rose 0.26 percent on Thursday while the S&P SL20 dropped 0.13 percent, data on its site showed.
The broader ASPI climbed 59.88 points to end at 22,850.95; while the more liquid S&P SL20 declined 7.99 points to close down at 6,268.87.
Investor interest was seen in capital goods, food, beverage and tobacco and selected financials on Thursday.
Top contributors to the ASPI were Hayleys (up 6.25 rupees at 197.25), Ceylon Grain Elevators (up 36.75 rupees at 419.75), Richard Pieris & Company (up 1.40 rupees at 28.80), Cargills (Ceylon) (up 18.50 rupees at 824.25) and Bairaha Farms (up 73.50 rupees at 458.25).
Market turnover was 9 billion rupees while share volume was 307,691,952.
Elsewhere, stocks saw mixed sentiment as fears of a US-China trade war rekindled. China has confirmed that US tariff talks will be held in Malaysia on Friday, Reuters said.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index continued to fall due to the uncertainty in the US-China tariff tension, Japan’s The Mainichi newspaper said.
“On the stock market, U.S.-China trade worries grew after reports that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a plan to curb software-powered exports to China, sending heavyweight chip and tech issues lower,” The Mainichi newspaper said.
The index ended 1.35 percent weaker at 48,641.61.
Pakistan’s KSE 100 index fell 1.02 percent to 164,852.51 on Thursday after the market rose for two consecutive sessions, Dawn said.
“The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed considerable volatility on Wednesday, with the benchmark KSE-100 index dipping into negative territory towards the close amid profit-taking by investors,” Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper said.
Meanwhile, India’s Nifty 50 index edged 0.078 percent up to close at 25,888.90, while the BSE Sensex moved 0.15 percent higher to 84,556.40.
Gold prices continued to rise on “U.S. sanctions against Russia and possible new export controls on China added to geopolitical risks, buoying demand for safe-haven assets,” Reuters said.
As at 3.45 pm Sri Lankan time, spot gold was trading at 4,131.45 US dollars, up 25.60 US dollars. (Colombo/Oct23/2025)
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