Market Lens section
Editorial desk picks and featured analysis.
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Auto | May 13, 2026
A $10,000 SUV can become a much larger rupee commitment once Sri Lanka’s customs value, excise duty, VAT, SSCL, possible luxury tax, and dealer spread are added. The biggest swing factor is often engine capacity, while rupee movement between shipment and clearance can change the taxable value.

Auto Finance | Apr 27, 2026
Sri Lanka’s vehicle import cost structure is built in layers: CIF value first, then customs-related charges, excise duty, VAT, and several practical landing costs. This article explains the 2026 calculation logic, shows a simple working table, and explains why a USD 10,000 car can approach USD 30,000 by the time it reaches the road.

Market Analysis | Apr 27, 2026
Tourism stocks on the CSE have benefited from the post-crisis recovery story, but the valuation question is more complicated than headline arrivals. Occupancy, room rates, debt costs, foreign exchange exposure, and liquidity all decide whether names such as JKH, Aitken Spence, and hotel counters still offer value after the rebound.

Investor Education | Apr 27, 2026
A story-led look at how margin trading on the Colombo Stock Exchange works, why current rates must be confirmed directly with providers, and how margin calls can become dangerous in illiquid shares.
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Market Analysis | Mar 24, 2026
Hedge funds invest billions in alternative data through web scraping yet erect sophisticated barriers to protect their own trading models from competitors. This analysis examines scraping tactics for reverse-engineering strategies, advanced anti-bot protocols, and the economics driving data exclusivity. Legal precedents like the hiQ Labs v. LinkedIn case shape the boundaries, while spending on alternative data reached $2.8 billion in 2025.

Crypto Security | Mar 16, 2026
Quantum computing threatens the elliptic-curve cryptography that secures most cryptocurrencies through algorithms like Shor's. NIST finalized the first post-quantum standards in August 2024 to counter this. Hardware upgrades and zero-knowledge techniques now offer practical defenses for personal and institutional holdings. Investors who prepare early can maintain security as the timeline for cryptographically relevant machines narrows to five to 15 years.

Trading Strategies | Mar 05, 2026
The February 28, 2026 US-Israeli strikes on Iran triggered immediate oil price spikes that quickly retraced, creating textbook false breakouts for traders monitoring Brent and USD/LKR. Sri Lanka, reliant on Middle East crude, faced panic fuel queues and depreciation pressure despite official reserves covering 35 days. This case study traces the timeline from 2025 talks to March volatility and isolates actionable filters to avoid similar traps.

Global Markets | Feb 27, 2026
IMF-supported programs often catalyze equity market recoveries through structural reforms that enhance economic stability and investor confidence. This analysis examines key historical cases, including Turkey, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka, where reforms led to improved market performance. While benefits include growth acceleration, challenges like inequality persist, requiring balanced implementation.

Auto | Feb 26, 2026
Verstappen Racing's multi-year tie-up with Mercedes-AMG, confirmed December 24, 2025, shifts the team to the proven GT3 Evo platform. The deal elevates the outfit to official Mercedes-AMG Performance Team status and pairs it with experienced drivers and 2 Seas Motorsport. This opinion argues the alliance delivers clear competitive and commercial upside for both sides in a crowded GT market.

Global Markets | Feb 24, 2026
AI-related stocks drove the bulk of global equity gains between 2022 and mid-2025, but the final quarter of 2025 and early 2026 brought sharp corrections as valuation multiples stretched to dot-com-era extremes and corporate earnings underwhelmed. The debate now centres on whether the pullback is a cyclical reset — healthy friction in a maturing technology wave — or the early phase of a deeper structural bust. Evidence from earnings reports, venture capital flows, and productivity studies points to a market in transition, not collapse, though tail risks remain elevated.

Market Insights | Feb 22, 2026
Stock market liquidity determines how easily and cost-effectively shares can be traded without large price swings. This explainer breaks down turnover ratios, market depth, and spread analysis with clear examples. It also shows why strong liquidity reduces volatility and supports better risk management for investors worldwide, including in emerging markets.

Investment | Feb 21, 2026
International investors seeking exposure to Sri Lanka's recovering economy can access the Colombo Stock Exchange through a streamlined digital process in 2026. This guide details CDS account opening for foreign individuals, broker selection, mandatory Inward Investment Accounts, repatriation rules, currency considerations, and tax treatment. Official channels ensure compliance while offering potential long-term growth amid improving macro stability.