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

Nuwara Eliya Hotels Company Plc

NEH.N0000

LKR4717.00

7.17%

Samson International PLC

SIL.N0000

LKR515.00

6.96%

RIL Property Plc

RIL.N0000

LKR28.00

6.87%

Chrissworld PLC

CWL.N0000

LKR26.00

5.69%

Union Chemicals Lanka PLC

UCAR.N0000

LKR2999.00

5.23%

Luminex PLC

LUMX.N0000

LKR12.10

5.22%

Kahawatte Plantations PLC

KAHA.N0000

LKR18.70

3.89%

Bogawantalawa Tea Estates PLC

BOPL.N0000

LKR76.20

3.67%

Haycarb PLC

HAYC.N0000

LKR148.25

3.67%

BPPL Holdings PLC

BPPL.N0000

LKR19.90

3.65%

Colombo Investment Trust Plc

CIT.N0000

LKR460.00

3.60%

Sanasa Developement Bank Plc

SDB.N0000

LKR55.00

3.58%

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•an hour ago

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•7 hours ago

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•13 hours ago

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•19 hours ago

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

Nuwara Eliya Hotels Company Plc

NEH.N0000

LKR4717.00

7.17%

Samson International PLC

SIL.N0000

LKR515.00

6.96%

RIL Property Plc

RIL.N0000

LKR28.00

6.87%

Chrissworld PLC

CWL.N0000

LKR26.00

5.69%

Union Chemicals Lanka PLC

UCAR.N0000

LKR2999.00

5.23%

Luminex PLC

LUMX.N0000

LKR12.10

5.22%

Kahawatte Plantations PLC

KAHA.N0000

LKR18.70

3.89%

Bogawantalawa Tea Estates PLC

BOPL.N0000

LKR76.20

3.67%

Haycarb PLC

HAYC.N0000

LKR148.25

3.67%

BPPL Holdings PLC

BPPL.N0000

LKR19.90

3.65%

Colombo Investment Trust Plc

CIT.N0000

LKR460.00

3.60%

Sanasa Developement Bank Plc

SDB.N0000

LKR55.00

3.58%