Category: Markets
First Capital Research assigns 80-pct probability for no change in policy rates
Jan 28, 2020 (LBO) – First Capital Research assigns 80 percent probability for no change in policy rates amidst recently provided tax revisions and other benefits. Considering the recent major fiscal and monetary policy changes, First Capital Research believes that current accommodative monetary policy stance is appropriate, and that there is ample space for market […]
First Capital Treasuries announces Rs750mn debenture issue
Jan 23, 2020 (LBO) – First Capital Treasuries, the Primary Dealer arm and a subsidiary of First Capital Holdings has announced that it intends to issue listed, rated, subordinated, unsecured, redeemable debentures with a principal value of LKR 750Mn maturing in five years. Following interest payment options will be payable semi-annually; Type A – 12.75% […]
Viraj Dayaratne appointed as Chairman of SEC
Jan 22, 2020 (LBO) – Additional Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne PC has been appointed as the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC). The appointment was done by the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Mahinda Rajapaksa. Other new members of the SEC appointed are Ernst & Young former Country Managing […]
Trade deficit narrows marginally in Nov with imports, exports declining
Jan 17, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s trade deficit contracted marginally in November 2019 (year-on-year), with both imports and exports declining, the latest Central Bank data showed. The deficit in the trade account declined in November to US dollars 762 million, from US dollars 785 million in November 2018. The trade deficit contracted by US […]
Milford Ceylon buys 19-pct of Softlogic Life
Jan 17, 2020 (LBO) – Milford Ceylon Pvt Ltd., a Mauritius-based fund yesterday bought a 19 percent stake in Softlogic Life Insurance PLC for Rs.2.6 billion. Shares amounting to 71.25 million shares was acquired at 37.00 rupees each, the company said in a stock exchange filing, Thursday. The seller was DEG or State Street Munich […]
Sri Lanka official reserves improve to USD7.6bn by end December
Jan 09, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves were 7,638.5 million US dollars by the end of December last year, up from 7,520.4 million US dollars in November, the latest Central Bank data showed. By the end of December, the foreign currency reserves were 6,609.1 million dollars while the reserve position in the […]
‘s new Banking Act to facilitate banks in Colombo Intl. Financial Centre
Jan 06, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has initiated drafting a new Banking Act and expects to complete its enactment in 2021. The new Banking Act will contain provisions to extend regulations for banks, which are to be established in the Colombo International Financial Centre. Key concepts of the proposed Act include provisions […]
CB Chief urges Sri Lanka banks to rethink its credit disbursement policies
Jan 06, 2020 (LBO) – Central Bank Governor Professor W D Lakshman urged Sri Lanka’s banking sector to rethink its credit disbursement policies, as the traditional ‘risk averse’ mindset has deprived emerging entrepreneurs and new ventures of much needed initial capital. Announcing the road map of the Central Bank for this year, Lakshman said credit […]
Business suspension of Perpetual Treasuries extended
Jan 06, 2020 (LBO) – Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has decided to extend the suspension of Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) from carrying on the business and activities of a primary dealer for a period of six months. The extension came with effect from yesterday in order to continue the investigations […]
New inclusions & exclusions of MBSL MIDCAP Index 2020 announced
Jan 02, 2020 (LBO) – New inclusions and exclusions of the MBSL MIDCAP Index 2020 have been announced. Accordingly, HNB Assurance, Sanasa Development Bank, Union Assurance, Commercial Bank, Dunamis Capital, Expolanka Holdings, Odel, Singer (Sri Lanka), Access Engineering and Ril Property have been excluded from the index. Seylan Bank, Pan Asia Banking Corp, First Capital […]
CSE indices comparison for 2019: ASPI up 1.3-pct, S&P SL20 down 6.3-pct
Dec 31, 2019 (LBO) – Colombo Stock Exchange ended the year 2019 on Tuesday with a positive note, rounding up the gain of All Share Price Index (ASPI) by 1.27 percent to 6,129 as compared to the beginning of the year. The ASPI is the broad market index of the CSE and is designed to […]
First Capital Research trims down its rate cut probability to 50-pct
Dec 24, 2019 (LBO) – Considering the recent major policy changes, First Capital Research has trimmed down its rate cut probability to 50 percent from the previous expectation of 100 percent probability, specifically due to the tax benefits, moratorium on loans and easing of capital adequacy to stimulate the consumer demand and revive growth in […]