Category: Economy and Markets
Sri Lanka could have credit upgrade on lower budget deficit, external debt: Fitch
Apr 16, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s sovereign credit could be upgraded on a steadily narrowing budget deficit and a lower external debt burden, which were weaker than similarly rated countries, Fitch Ratings has said. Among Fitch rated Asia Pacific sovereigns, Mongolia had a ‘B+’ rating with a negative outlook, Vietnam ‘B+/positive’, Philippines and Indonesia […]
Sri Lanka firms short of workers, over 10,000 working on tourist visas: President
Apr 13, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lankan firms are asking to employ more foreign workers to fill labour shortfalls, with over 10,000 working in the country on tourist visas, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.“Some companies come and say, allow us to bring workers from abroad, from India,” President Rajapaksa told a business forum where the annual […]
Sri lanka Softlogic Holdings downgraded by Fitch
Apr 11, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Softlogic Holdings Plc, has been downgraded by one notch from ‘A-(lka)’ to ‘BBB+(lka)’ which is still in the investment grade, with a ‘stable; outlook by Fitch. “The downgrade reflects Fitch’s expectation of a sustained weakness in SHL’s financial profile at the holding company level, primarily because of debt-funded […]
Sri Lanka shoemaker downgraded after VAT
Apr 11, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s DSI Holdings Plc, which owns a tariff protected shoe business has been downgraded to ‘BBB(lka)’ from ‘BBB+(lka)’ weaker cashflows after the imposition of value added tax on retail sales. At the new level, which is still in the investment grade, the outlook was stable, Fitch said. “DSIHL’s leverage […]
Sri Lanka stocks close up 0.3-pct
Apr 11, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s stocks close up 0.28 percent higher with index heavy stocks gaining amid net foreign buying, brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed 17.29 points higher at 6,092.34 up 0.28 percent. The S&P SL20 closed 1.92 points higher at 3,346.92, up 0.06 percent. Turnover was 540.86 […]
Sri Lanka sovereign bond will not impact exchange rate: CB Governor
Apr 10, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s 500 million US dollar sovereign bond sale this week will not impact the exchange rate as the Central Bank is expected to buy the proceeds, though foreign reserves will go up, Governor Nivard Cabraal said.In order to retain the dollars permanently in the foreign reserves and not cause […]
Sri Lanka stocks close lower
Apr 10, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s stocks close down 0.14 percent lower with index heavy stocks losing ground amid thin foreign participation on the bourse, brokers said. Dialog Axiata closed 10 cents lower at 9.10 rupees and Asiri Hospital Holdings closed 1.50 rupees lower at 21.50 rupees. Hemas Holdings closed 1.40 rupees higher at […]
Sri Lanka shares close up 0.2-pct
Apr 09, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s shares close up 0.19 percent higher with index heavy stocks gaining amid strong foreign buying, brokers said. Bukit Darah closed 10.60 rupees higher at 574.80 rupees and John Keells Holdings closed 1.10 rupees higher at 239.90 rupees. JKH’s W0022 warrants closed 10 cents lower at 69.20 rupees and […]
‘s interest rates “appropriate” to current conditions: CB Governor
Apr 09, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s interest rates “appropriate” to current conditions where returns particularly on deposits of senior citizens have fallen sharply, Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal said.Sri Lanka’s inflation has fallen to around 4 percent in the past quarter and one year deposit rates in commercial banks are around 6 to 7 […]
”’ transferred to budget
Apr 09, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s central bank lost 24.2 billion rupees in 2013, down from profits of 66.2 billion rupees, but the bank had transferred 25 billion rupees in profits to the state budget, its annual accounts showed.Other than interest income from its forex assets, a central bank primarily makes profits from inflation, […]
‘s Hemas Holdings billion rupees debt offer to open April 23
April 08, 2014 (LBO) – A billion rupee listed debt offer by Sri Lanka’s Hemas Holdings will open on April 23, the Colombo Stock Exchange said. Hemas will offer 5 million 100 rupee debentures and another 5 million debentures if the first tranche is oversubscribed. Fitch has rated the debt ‘A+(lka)’.
Sri Lanka 5-year yield a new benchmark: Standard Chartered
Mar 08, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s 5-year bond at 5.125 percent set a new benchmark and showed investor appetite for the country’s credit, Standard Chartered Bank, a joint lead arranger to the sale said. Yields on emerging market bond spiked in the second half of 2013 amid uncertainty over a decision by the US […]