Category: Economy and Markets
Block trade in Singer Sri Lanka (SINS), 9.47% of outstanding shares traded at Rs47
October 15, 2018 (LBO) – The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) woke up today with a block trade in Singer Sri Lanka. 35,562,883 shares traded at Rs47, up sharply from the previous days’s closing price of around Rs30/share. The value of the block transacted is roughly Rs1.7bn (US$10mn). After the block trade, Singer (SINS) has drifted […]
‘s oligarchs
October 15, 2018 (LBO) – 2018 has been a tough year for emerging market equities, and Sri Lankan stocks are no exception. The major stock indices of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), the All Share Price Index (ASPI) and the S&P SL 20 are down near 10% and 20% respectively so far for the year. […]
‘s stock/bond markets cross $ 500mn YTD
October 12, 2018 (LBO) – Net foreign selling of Sri Lanka’s stocks and bonds has crossed US$500 million dollars for 2018. The outflows, which have been a significant factor in the devaluation of Sri Lanka’s currency and declining foreign reserves, show no signs of slowing down. Year to date in 2018, net foreign selling of […]
Sri Lanka introduces national standard for mobile QR code payments
Oct 12, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has introduced a National Quick Response (QR) Code Standard for local currency payments with the aim of establishing a standard for payments carried out through mobile phones. The Central Bank said this new standard called LANKAQR came into effect from this week. All Licensed Banks, Licensed […]
Central Bank says Cabraal’s comments on rupee depreciation misleading
Oct 12, 2018 (LBO) – Central Bank says the allegations made by former Governor Nivard Cabraal in a recent newspaper article that the Central Bank has neglected its statutory duty and the recent depreciation of the rupee could have been better managed are misleading. “The exchange rate pressure that is currently observed is not limited […]
‘s CSE takes no notice
October 11, 2018 (LBO) – Global markets are plunging with many indices around the world falling sharply. The carnage was triggered by a spike in U.S. 10 year treasury yields up to 3.25%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 were down over 3% on Wednesday, while the Nasdaq was down over 4%. […]
CSE-SEC holds Invest Sri Lanka Forum in Edinburgh and London
Oct 11, 2018 (LBO) – A large gathering of Institutional Investors based in London showed a keen interest in investing in Sri Lankan equities while attending an Invest Sri Lanka Forum held at the London Stock Exchange recently. The Forum, which was organized by the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) in association with the Securities and Exchange […]
Sri Lanka revises fuel prices: Diesel not increased
Oct 10, 2018 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government increased the prices of petrol and super diesel with effect from midnight Wednesday. Issuing a statement the Ministry of Finance said the price of 92 octane petrol will be increased by six rupees to 155 rupees a litre.95 octane petrol will go up by eight rupees to […]
NDB rights issue 60% subscribed, Rs3.8bn raised
October 10, 2018 (LBO) – Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) listed NDB Bank has raised Rs3.8bn through a rights issue in difficult market conditions. Although the rights issue aimed to raise over Rs6bn, it was only 60% subscribed. Analysts say that the issue was a relative success, as the subscription was taken up during very difficult […]
‘s latest treasury bill auction
October 10, 2018 (LBO) – Interest rates moved sharply higher in treasury bond auctions today.Auction results are representative of the turmoil in global fixed income markets caused by the U.S. Treasury 10 year bond interest rates breaking out to multi-year highs.The 10 year US Treasury bond yield stands at 3.2%. With further interest rate hikes […]
Price controls dominate political debate but may not help consumers: Report
Oct 10, 2018 (LBO) – A new report by The Advocata Institute, titled “Price Controls in Sri Lanka: Political Theatre” finds that consumer price controls lead to unintended outcomes including lower quality.Politicians have imposed price controls on a variety of items in the belief that capping prices will lower costs but our survey shows that […]
Sri Lanka FM interview ahead of IMF and WB annual meet on global trade, economy
Oct 10, 2018 (LBO) – Global finance and reserve bank chiefs will gather this week in Bali, Indonesia for the annual gathering of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank amid rising concern over trade war and risks of global economic crisis.Sri Lanka’s Minister of Finance and Communications, Mangala Samaraweera is chair of the Groups […]