Category: Markets
First Capital Research cuts ASPI target to 5,000 for June 2020
Apr 03, 2020 (LBO) – First Capital Research has reduced its ASPI target to a mere 5,000 for June 2020 as earnings of most companies are likely to be negative during the 2Q & 3Q2020. The research arm, however, said a possible recovery in 4Q2020 may push the index towards 6,000 by December 2020. With […]
Sri Lanka suspends all restrictions on foreign currency inflows
Apr 02, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers has decided to suspend all restrictions on foreign currency inflows into the Island during the COVID-19 preventive period, defined as the three months commencing 2 April 2020. Releasing a statement, the Central Bank Governor Professor W D Lakshman invites all in Sri Lanka and abroad […]
Central Bank facilitates finance & leasing companies to support businesses
Mar 31, 2020 (LBO) – The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has decided to introduce a number of measures to provide flexibility to Licensed Finance Companies (LFCs) and Specialised Leasing Companies (SLCs) facilitating them to support businesses and individuals affected by the outbreak of COVID-19. In line with this initiative, the […]
CSE to remain closed for trading from tomorrow until curfew is lifted
Mar 31, 2020 (LBO) – Colombo Stock Exchange will remain closed for trading from 01 April 2020 until the curfew is lifted, the exchange said in a notice. CSE further stated that the decision has been taken pursuant to a guidance received from the Securities and Exchange Commission. The extraordinary measures taken by the government […]
Sri Lanka announces relief measures as country battles with COVID19
Mar 24, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government has announced a number of relief measures to people undergoing various hardships due to the prevailing situation brought on by the Coronavirus. Accordingly, the President has directed the Governor of Central Bank, the secretaries of all ministries, chief secretaries of all provincial councils and the heads of […]
We are in global recession territory: Fitch Ratings
Mar 21, 2020 (LBO) – The coronavirus crisis is crushing global GDP growth according to Fitch Ratings in its latest quarterly “Global Economic Outlook”. “The level of world GDP is falling. For all intents and purposes we are in global recession territory,” said Brian Coulton, chief economist at Fitch Ratings. Fitch Ratings statement We have […]
CSE trading closed as both indices drop over 5-pct
Mar 20, 2020 (LBO) – Trading at the Colombo stock exchange closed at midday as the S&P SL20 index of more liquid stocks fell 11.90 percent or 262.42 points to 1.971.11. The All-share index also fell 6.22 percent or 303.10 points in early trade to 4,571.63. The market fell due to the fears of foreign […]
Central Bank introduces urgent measures to ease pressure on exchange rate
Mar 19, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has introduced several measures to ease the pressure on the exchange rate and prevent financial market panic due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, licensed commercial banks and National Savings Bank are directed to adopt the following measures during the next three months, with immediate effect: Suspend […]
China grants USD500mn concessionary loan to Sri Lanka
Mar 19, 2020 (LBO) – China Development Bank and Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance has signed a 500 million US dollar loan agreement amidst the COVID–19 pandemic. Treasury Secretary SR Attygalle and Wang Wei, Deputy Director, China Development Bank yesterday signed the agreement in the presence of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Acting Ambassador of China […]
CBSL requests financial institutions to refrain from engaging in speculative activity
Mar 17, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank requests financial institutions to refrain from engaging in speculative activity which could lead to panic in the financial market. Delivering a statement, the Governor of Central Bank, W. D. Lakshman requested all financial institutions led by licensed commercial banks to pass to the market the full […]
Sri Lanka Central Bank eases monetary policy further to support economic activity
Mar 16, 2020 (LBO) – The Monetary Board of Sri Lanka’s Central Bank at an urgent meeting held today has decided to reduce the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) by 25 basis points to 6.25 percent and 7.25 percent, respectively, with effect from tomorrow. The board has also […]
CSE trading halted temporarily as S & P drops below 5-pct
Mar 12, 2020 (LBO) – Trading at Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has been halted temporarily for 30 minutes following the S and P index dropping below 5 percent for the second time this week, stockbrokers said. The S and P index fell 121.48 points or 5.05 percent to 2,284.32 points soon after it […]