Bourse moved to negative territory by interest rate and inflationary pressures

CSE investor sentiment was of a negative kind yesterday in the wake of high interest rate and inflationary pressures, analysts said. The All Share Price Index went down by 43.18 points, while the S and P SL20 declined by 8.74 points. Turnover stood at Rs 1.54 billion with five crossings. Sampath Bank crossed 1.5 million shares to the tune of Rs 163 million; its shares traded at Rs 142, Access Engineering 1.3 million shares crossed for Rs 100 million; its shares sold at Rs 78.40, HNB 165,000 shares crossed for Rs 66 million; its shares traded at Rs 400, ACL Cables 500,000 shares crossed for Rs 50 million; its shares sold at Rs 100 and WindForce 500,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 20 million; its shares traded at Rs 40. In the retail market companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were: Commercial Bank Rs 228 million (1.1 million shares traded), CCS Rs 211 million (1.6 million shares traded), Sampath Bank Rs 73 million (518,000 shares traded), HNB Rs 40.3 million (100800 shares traded), LMF Rs 35 million (401000 shares traded), JKH Rs 34 million (1.7 million shares traded) and Aitken Spence Rs 32 million (216,000 shares traded). During the day 30.6 million share volumes changed hands in 12978 transactions. It is said that banking sector counters, especially Sampath Bank and Commercial Bank, dominated the market. Further, the manufacturing sector also performed well, especially JKH. Renewable energy sector companies, especially WindForce, were also impressive. Meanwhile, Hikkaduwa Beach Resorts announced the reopening of its hotel, Citrus Hikkaduwa, from July 1, following the completion of scheduled refurbishment and upgrades. The share was trading at Rs 5.20, down 1.89 percent. Meanwhile, Singer Finance (Lanka) said its total asset base surpassed Rs 100 billion in the first quarter of the 2026/27. Yesterday the rupee was quoted at Rs 335.25/35 to the US dollar in the spot market, stronger from Rs 335.90/336.00 the previous day, while bond yields edged up slightly on profit taking, dealers said. The telegraphic transfer rate for Sri Lanka’s rupee against the US dollar was 331.50 buying, 340.50 selling; the euro was 376.7044 selling, 390.6214 buying; and the pound was 441.8540 buying, 455.8996 selling. A bond maturing on 01.08.2030 was quoted at 11.25/28 percent, up from 11.18/25 percent. A bond maturing on 15.10.2030 was quoted at 11.25/32 percent, up from 11.20/27 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2032 was quoted at 11.55/60 percent, up from 11.50/60 percent. A bond maturing on 15.01.2033 was quoted at 11.57/63 percent. A bond maturing on 01.11.2033 was quoted flat at 11.60/70 percent. A bond maturing on 15.03.2035 was quoted at 11.70/75 percent. By Hiran H. Senewiratne