Category: Economy and Markets
Sri Lanka inflation accelerates to 9.8-pct in April
Apr 29, 2011 (LBO) – Consumer prices in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo rose 9. 8 percent in April from a year earlier, accelerating from 8.6 percent in March, data from the government’s statistics office data showed. But excess liquidity remains close to 100 billion rupees, or about a third of the money officially defined monetary […]
Fed chief hums and haws in historic press meet
WASHINGTON, April 27, 2011 (AFP) – His voice cracked and pinched. When necessary — most of the time — he retreated into policy jargon. With markets ready to pounce on any odd choice of words, US central bank chief Ben Bernanke was clearly nervous as he fielded reporters’ questions after a policy meeting for the […]
Sri Lanka Vietnam economic links to widen with re-opened embassy: envoy
Apr 28, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka could attract investments from Vietnam if the path is clear and the two nations could increase two-way trade and tourism rapidly, Ton Sinh Thanh, Hanoi’s envoy heading a newly re-opened embassy in Colombo, said. FDI Vietnam itself is receiving tens of billions of dollars of investment from Japan, […]
Sri Lanka rupee strengthens below 110 to greenback
Apr 28, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s rupee strengthened to below 110 to green back as the dollar slid to record lows against currencies issued by other monetary authorities with higher interest rates, dealers said. The spot dollar was quoted around 109.90/95 in mid morning trade. The Australian dollar, rose to a 29-year high against […]
Sri Lanka stocks end up 0.2-pct
Apr 28, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares closed higher Thursday with heavy trading in two banks which reported sharply higher March 2011 quarter profits, brokers said. The main All Share Price Index closed at 7,377.65, up 0.19 percent (13.87 points) while the more liquid Milanka index rose 0.29 percent (19.96 points) to close at […]
Sri Lanka IPO pricing based on latest financials: advisors
Apr 26, 2011 (LBO) – Financial advisors for a forthcoming share issue by Sri Lanka’s Expolanka group have defended the pricing of the public offer at more than twice that of a private placement late last year. Expolanka Holdings is to raise 2.4 billion rupees by issuing 172 million ordinary voting shares at 14 rupees […]
Asians driven to extreme poverty by commodity bubble
Apr 27, 2011 (LBO) – Rising food prices from a global commodity bubble could push 64 million people in developing Asia into extreme poverty, the Asian Development Bank said adding to rising concerns about the effects loose US monetary policy. Many such central banks also create their own inflation, adding to inflation generated by the […]
Sri Lanka chases better rating ahead of bond sale: report
Apr 27, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is expecting three rating agencies to visit the island from next month which may lead to a better rating upgrade ahead of a bond sale of at least 500 million dollars for 2011, a media report said. But inflation has picked up since then raising concerns about monetary […]
Sri Lanka Treasuries yields edge up
Apr 27, 2011 (LBO) – The yields on Sri Lanka’s treasury bills edged higher at Wednesday’s auction with 10 billion rupees worth maturing bills being rolled over, the government’s debt office said. The yield on three-months bills rose one basis point to 7.04 percent with 2.7 billion rupees in bills being sold and the yield […]
Sri Lanka stocks end up 0.2-pct
Apr 27, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares closed mixed once again Wednesday in dull trade with motor sector shares rebounding from losses sustained after a government import duty hike likely to slow car sales, brokers said. Lanka Ashok Leyland, which imports buses from India and did not fall after the import duty hike, rose […]
Sri Lanka motor shares weaken after duty hike
Apr 26, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares closed mixed Tuesday with motor companies weakening after an impot duty hike that will increase prices of cars and reduce sales, brokers said. The main All Share Price Index was barely changed, closing at 7,349.17, up 0.05 percent (3.69 points) while the more liquid Milanka index fell […]
Sri Lanka state petroleum firm lose US$260mn
Apr 26, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s state run petroleum distributor Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has lost 28.6 billion rupees in 2010 as due to rising cost and arbitrary political control of its retail prices, official data show. Sri Lanka has no cost-basis for fuel pricing and prices are controlled by arbitrary by the state while […]