The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed lower today (16) as profit-taking in key large-cap stocks outweighed gains in select mid-cap counters, with banking giant HNB driving a significant portion of market turnover.

The benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) shed 61.31 points to close at 18,884.96, marking a 0.32% decline from the previous day. The more liquid S&P SL20 Index dropped 32.42 points, or 0.57%, ending the session at 5,668.12.

Despite the negative trend in indices, the market witnessed heightened investor activity, with a massive turnover of Rs. 17.01 billion, backed primarily by crossings in Hatton National Bank (HNB) shares. The HNB non-voting shares (HNB.X) contributed over Rs. 11 billion, while HNB voting shares (HNB.N) added another Rs. 1.2 billion, making the bank the day’s top turnover generator.

Overall, 300.7 million shares changed hands across the exchange.

Market breadth remained slightly negative, with 116 stocks contributing negatively to the ASPI, while 103 stocks pulled the index up.