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

SMB Finance PLC

SEMB.N0000

LKR1.00

11.11%

Lanka Ashok Leyland Plc

ASHO.N0000

LKR3135.00

10.00%

Lighthouse Hotel PLC

LHL.N0000

LKR78.00

6.85%

Renuka Holdings Plc

RHL.N0000

LKR53.80

5.70%

Ceylon Hotels Corporation PLC

CHOT.N0000

LKR33.90

4.31%

Colombo Investment Trust Plc

CIT.N0000

LKR440.00

4.27%

Abans Finance PLC

AFSL.N0000

LKR99.80

4.18%

Ceylon Beverage Holdings PLC

BREW.N0000

LKR2999.75

4.12%

Palm Garden Hotels Plc

PALM.N0000

LKR57.90

3.58%

Nuwara Eliya Hotels Company Plc

NEH.N0000

LKR4720.00

3.28%

Balangoda Plantations PLC

BALA.N0000

LKR63.70

2.91%

Eden Hotel Lanka Plc

EDEN.N0000

LKR11.20

2.75%

News

SpaceX IPO Roadshow and Eli Lilly's $3.8 Billion Vaccine Push Ignite Market Momentum

Space and satellite stocks surged as SpaceX kicked off its highly anticipated IPO roadshow, while Eli Lilly announced a $3.8 billion acquisition spree to re-enter the vaccine market.

stock market•2 hours ago

Taiwan Overtakes India in Stock Market Value Amid Shifting Asian Financial Dynamics

Taiwan has surpassed India in total stock market capitalization, driven by a global surge in technology momentum stocks, even as regional bond and currency markets face mounting pressures.

stock market•8 hours ago

Global Markets Navigate Geopolitical Tension, Yuan Forecasts, and Commodity Supply Shifts

The US dollar firmed and copper held gains amid Middle East peace doubts, while Macquarie projected a massive yuan surge and energy markets reacted to supply developments in Australia and China.

forex commodities•14 hours ago

Iran Conflict Squeezes India's Gas Power Supply Amid Record Summer Demand

India's gas-fired power generation has fallen to a six-year low as geopolitical tensions disrupt fuel shipments during a record-breaking summer heatwave.

forex commodities•May 25th 26

BlackRock's Saigal Sees 'Sufficient Factors' to Justify Fed Rate Cut Under Warsh

BlackRock Inc. suggests that the Federal Reserve, under the leadership of new chairman Kevin Warsh, has ample economic justification to pursue interest rate cuts rather than hikes.

federal reserve•May 25th 26

Asian Currencies Firm on Oil Relief and RBI Signals as China Trading Curbs Loom

The Indian rupee and other Asian currencies strengthened on hopes of a US-Iran deal and hawkish RBI comments, while regional markets digested new Chinese trading curbs and FTSE index cuts.

forex commodities•May 25th 26

Global Markets: Dollar Slumps and Gold Rises on Hormuz Progress; Asian Policy Shifts in Focus

The US dollar slumped and gold rose as signs of a US-Iran deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz boosted risk appetite, while Japan's rising bond yields and Indonesia's commodity export updates took center stage in Asia.

forex commodities•May 25th 26

Japan's Regulator Urges Corporate Shift From Shareholder Returns to Long-Term Growth

Japan's financial regulator is pushing listed companies to prioritize long-term capital investment over shareholder buybacks, signaling a major shift in corporate governance priorities.

stock market•May 24th 26

Top Gainers

SMB Finance PLC

SEMB.N0000

LKR1.00

11.11%

Lanka Ashok Leyland Plc

ASHO.N0000

LKR3135.00

10.00%

Lighthouse Hotel PLC

LHL.N0000

LKR78.00

6.85%

Renuka Holdings Plc

RHL.N0000

LKR53.80

5.70%

Ceylon Hotels Corporation PLC

CHOT.N0000

LKR33.90

4.31%

Colombo Investment Trust Plc

CIT.N0000

LKR440.00

4.27%

Abans Finance PLC

AFSL.N0000

LKR99.80

4.18%

Ceylon Beverage Holdings PLC

BREW.N0000

LKR2999.75

4.12%

Palm Garden Hotels Plc

PALM.N0000

LKR57.90

3.58%

Nuwara Eliya Hotels Company Plc

NEH.N0000

LKR4720.00

3.28%

Balangoda Plantations PLC

BALA.N0000

LKR63.70

2.91%

Eden Hotel Lanka Plc

EDEN.N0000

LKR11.20

2.75%