Category: Economy and Markets
Sri Lanka chambers ask for probe on official statistics
Jan 07, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s key business chambers have called for a probe on official statistics following reports on how an official was allegedly asked to boost gross domestic numbers in a court filing. “If such doubts were to persist, it would lead to a lack of credibility on a range of published […]
Sri Lanka sells one billion US dollar bond at 6.0-pct
Jan 07, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has raised a billion US dollars from a 5-year sovereign bond at 6.0 percent. The bond proceeds are expected to ease government borrowing requirements and help keep interest rates in check.A source close to the deal said the offer had generated over 3.0 billion US dollars in orders […]
‘BB-(EXP) by Fitch
Jan 06, 2014 (LBO) – A one billion US dollar sovereign bond by Sri Lanka has been rated ‘BB-(EXP)’ by Fitch.– No sustained rise in commodity prices, particularly in crude oil, in line with Fitch’s Global Economic Outlook. Fitch said though debt levels were high, a budget for 2014 signalled a commitment to reduce debt […]
” by S&P
Jan 06, 2014 (LBO) – Standard and Poor’s has given a ‘B+’ rating for Sri Lanka’s sovereign bond marketed. Sri Lanka’s growth was helped by reconstruction, improving finances of state enterprises and low inflation. Bu the country had high debt, growing external borrowing and weak institutions. Sri Lanka’s Global Bond Issue Due 2019 Rated ‘B+’ […]
‘s
Jan 07, 2014 (LBO) – A sovereign bond by Sri Lanka has been rated a proposed (P)B1 by Moody’s.The agency said inflation has improved in the recent past and may remain low but the fiscal picture had to improve. “Over the longer term, the government’s credit profile would improve from more progress in fiscal consolidation […]
US investors buy 62-pct of Sri Lanka sovereign bonds: report
Jan 07, 2014 (LBO) – US based investors have bought 62 percent of a billion US dollar sovereign bond sold by Sri Lanka, a media report said.About 89 percent were bought by fund managers, 8 percent banks and 2 percent private banks. Sources close to the deal said 3.2 billion worth of bids had come […]
Sri Lanka stocks close up 0.5-pct
Jan 07, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka stocks end 0.54 percent higher Tuesday with banking and tobacco stocks gaining, brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed 32.08 points higher at 5,977.07, up 0.54 percent. The S&P SL20 closed 19.21 points higher at 3,300.45, up 0.59 percent. Turnover was 716.25 million rupees, up […]
Sri Lanka says response to latest bond sale shows investor confidence
Jan 07, 2014 (LBO) – A billion US dollar 5-year sovereign bond sale at 6.0 percent, below yields seen in similar issues earlier is a sign of investor confidence amid turbulent markets, the state debt office said. Fund Managers were the largest investors in the transaction, representing 89 per cent, with Banks and Private Banks […]
Sri Lanka stocks end 0.4-pct lower
Jan 06, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka stocks close down 0.48 percent Monday with diversified stocks losing ground amid net foreign buying, brokers said. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed 28.81 points lower at 5,944.99, down 0.48 percent. The S&P SL20 closed 12.45 points lower at 3,282.37, down 0.38 percent. Turnover was 462.20 […]
Sri Lanka 5-year sovereign bond sale opens: report
Jan 06, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has started selling a 5-year sovereign bond with price guidance set around 6.25 percent, a media report said. Bloomberg newswires said Citigroup, HSBC Standard Chartered and UBS were managing the sale. Sri Lanka is rated B1 by Moody’s B+ by S&P) and BB- by Fitch.
Sri Lanka inflation 4.8-pct by citizen index
Jan 05, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s inflation measured by a private consumer price index rose 4.8 percent in the 12 months of 2013 in line with the 4.7 percent measured by the state statistics office. In Feb 2012, the rupee was floated, allowing the peg to fall to around 118 to the US dollar […]
Sri Lanka expects 7.8-pct growth and 5.0-pct inflation in 2014
Jan 03, 2014 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is expected to grow 7.8 percent in 2014 as business activities pick up with inflation targeted at 5.0-pct, Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal said.Sri Lanka has a pegged exchange rate, loosely anchored to the US dollar and money printed by the Central Bank through domestic asset acquisitions tends […]