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

Industrial Asphalts (Ceylon) PLC

ASPH.N0000

LKR0.70

16.67%

SMB Finance PLC

SEMB.N0000

LKR1.00

11.11%

Asian Hotels & Properties PLC

AHPL.N0000

LKR53.50

5.94%

InsureMe Insurance Brokers Limited

INME.N0000

LKR1996.00

5.05%

E M L Consultants PLC

EML.N0000

LKR10.30

4.04%

Convenience Foods Lanka PLC

SOY.N0000

LKR2340.00

4.00%

PMF Finance PLC

PMB.N0000

LKR12.40

3.33%

Sigiriya Village Hotels PLC

SIGV.N0000

LKR14.40

2.86%

Royal Palms Beach Hotels PLC

RPBH.N0000

LKR56.00

2.75%

Lion Brewery (Ceylon) Plc

LION.N0000

LKR1848.00

2.67%

Hayleys Fabric PLC

MGT.N0000

LKR31.50

2.61%

Odel PLC

ODEL.N0000

LKR12.20

2.52%

News

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

Paramount Pulls Out All Stops to Sell Debt for Audacious $110 Billion Warner Bros. Discovery Takeover

Paramount Skydance Corp. is stretching terms and utilizing every financial lever to market the massive leverage buyout debt required for its ambitious $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

mergers acquisitions•May 30th 26

Top Gainers

Industrial Asphalts (Ceylon) PLC

ASPH.N0000

LKR0.70

16.67%

SMB Finance PLC

SEMB.N0000

LKR1.00

11.11%

Asian Hotels & Properties PLC

AHPL.N0000

LKR53.50

5.94%

InsureMe Insurance Brokers Limited

INME.N0000

LKR1996.00

5.05%

E M L Consultants PLC

EML.N0000

LKR10.30

4.04%

Convenience Foods Lanka PLC

SOY.N0000

LKR2340.00

4.00%

PMF Finance PLC

PMB.N0000

LKR12.40

3.33%

Sigiriya Village Hotels PLC

SIGV.N0000

LKR14.40

2.86%

Royal Palms Beach Hotels PLC

RPBH.N0000

LKR56.00

2.75%

Lion Brewery (Ceylon) Plc

LION.N0000

LKR1848.00

2.67%

Hayleys Fabric PLC

MGT.N0000

LKR31.50

2.61%

Odel PLC

ODEL.N0000

LKR12.20

2.52%