Asia-Pacific Markets Navigate Geopolitical Hopes Amidst Regional Economic Headwinds

Asia-Pacific markets show cautious optimism following U.S.-Iran diplomatic efforts, yet regional economies grapple with currency volatility in India and operational challenges for China's airlines.

•May 22nd 26

Digital Services Tax in Sri Lanka: What You Need to Know

banking finance

Is the Digital Services VAT Gazette Ultra Vires? Should the VAT Act Be Amended Again?

Sanka De Alwis, ACA, B.Sc. (Bus. Admin. Sp.) (USJP) Tax Consultant•Sep 22nd 25

World Bank's Senior Managing Director, Axel van Trotsenburg, Photo: Reuters

banking finance

World Bank Demands Radical Debt Transparency and Its Impact on Sri Lanka

Finance Manifest•Jun 20th 25

Top Gainers

Serendib Land PLC

SLND.N0000

LKR2890.00

7.69%

John Keells Plc

JKL.N0000

LKR83.90

7.56%

Ceylon Beverage Holdings PLC

BREW.N0000

LKR2939.00

6.87%

Dialog Finance PLC

CALF.N0000

LKR146.00

5.04%

Arpico Insurance Plc

AINS.N0000

LKR29.40

5.00%

Colombo City Holdings Plc

PHAR.N0000

LKR170.00

4.62%

C. W. Mackie PLC

CWM.N0000

LKR40.90

4.60%

Nawaloka Hospitals Plc

NHL.N0000

LKR14.00

4.48%

Ceylon Investment Plc

CINV.N0000

LKR106.50

4.41%

Hunter & Company PLC

HUNT.N0000

LKR1569.00

4.25%

Ceylon Hotels Corporation PLC

CHOT.N0000

LKR33.40

4.05%

Tea Smallholder Factories Plc

TSML.N0000

LKR41.60

4.00%

News

US IPO Market Gains Momentum as Liftoff and Sunshine Silver Post Strong Debuts

The US IPO market showed strong signs of recovery as Blackstone-backed Liftoff Mobile and Sunshine Silver Mining both posted impressive gains in their trading debuts, raising a combined $707 million.

ipos listings•an hour ago

S&P 500 Hovers Near Record Highs as AI Momentum Clashes With Fed Rate Hike Bets

The S&P 500 hovered near historic highs as tech-driven AI enthusiasm offset broader market losses, while bond traders braced for upcoming jobs data that could fuel bets on a future Federal Reserve rate hike.

stock market•Jun 1st 26

Middle East Conflict Spreads Economic Pain as Pakistan Inflation Soars and South African Manufacturing Falters

Rising energy costs and supply chain disruptions from the conflict in the Middle East are hammering emerging markets, driving Pakistan's inflation to a two-year high and dampening South African factory sentiment.

economic indicators•Jun 1st 26

LG Electronics Shares Quadruple in 2026 on Aggressive Physical AI and Robotics Pivot

LG Electronics Inc. shares have surged by more than 300% in 2026, driven by investor enthusiasm over the South Korean appliance giant's strategic pivot into robotics and physical artificial intelligence.

stock market•Jun 1st 26

Berkshire Hathaway to Acquire Taylor Morrison in $6.8 Billion All-Cash Deal

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has agreed to acquire homebuilder Taylor Morrison Home Corp. for $6.8 billion in cash, marking a significant bet on the US housing market.

mergers acquisitions•May 31st 26

SpaceX Adjusts IPO Valuation Target to $1.8 Trillion, Remaining on Track for Historic Market Debut

SpaceX is targeting a valuation of at least $1.8 trillion for its highly anticipated initial public offering, a slight decrease from earlier expectations of over $2 trillion.

ipos listings•May 31st 26

Saudi Contractor Mutlaq Al-Ghowairi Targets $800 Million Riyadh IPO in Gulf's First Major Listing of the Year

Shareholders of Saudi contractor Mutlaq Al-Ghowairi Contracting Co. are seeking up to $799 million in a Riyadh initial public offering, marking a major milestone for the Gulf's capital markets.

ipos listings•May 31st 26

SpaceX and OpenAI Windfalls Drive Investors to Asian AI Supply Chain

Unprecedented US tech valuations are fueling a global search for the next wave of AI winners, with institutional investors increasingly targeting the critical Asian hardware supply chain.

stock market•May 31st 26

Top Gainers

Serendib Land PLC

SLND.N0000

LKR2890.00

7.69%

John Keells Plc

JKL.N0000

LKR83.90

7.56%

Ceylon Beverage Holdings PLC

BREW.N0000

LKR2939.00

6.87%

Dialog Finance PLC

CALF.N0000

LKR146.00

5.04%

Arpico Insurance Plc

AINS.N0000

LKR29.40

5.00%

Colombo City Holdings Plc

PHAR.N0000

LKR170.00

4.62%

C. W. Mackie PLC

CWM.N0000

LKR40.90

4.60%

Nawaloka Hospitals Plc

NHL.N0000

LKR14.00

4.48%

Ceylon Investment Plc

CINV.N0000

LKR106.50

4.41%

Hunter & Company PLC

HUNT.N0000

LKR1569.00

4.25%

Ceylon Hotels Corporation PLC

CHOT.N0000

LKR33.40

4.05%

Tea Smallholder Factories Plc

TSML.N0000

LKR41.60

4.00%