Category: Economy and Markets
Fed hikes rate on discount window amid easing financial crisis
WASHINGTON, February 18, 2010 (AFP) – The US Federal Reserve said Thursday it was increasing the interest rate it charged on emergency loans to banks in a move to normalize lending after radical measures to jolt the economy from recession. “The modifications are not expected to lead to tighter financial conditions for households and businesses […]
Sri Lanka shares becalmed
Feb 18, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares closed virtually stagnant Thursday with trading in a speculative stock boosting turnover and some interest in property stocks, brokers said. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘lbo’ and send to 678 The All Share Price Index closed at 3,732.77, up 0.31 percent […]
Sri Lankan stocks close 0.81-pct up
Feb 17, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks recovered Wednesday on gains in the prices of shares with a heavy weighting on the indices like Distilleries, Sampath Bank, Aitken Spence and Environmental Resources, brokers said. The All Share Price Index closed at 3,721.12, up 0.81 percent (30.08) points while the Milanka index of more liquid […]
Sri Lanka draws Chinese investors
Feb 17, 2010 (LBO) – A Chinese economic delegation from its Yunnan province is visiting Sri Lanka to study the economic and investment climate in Sri Lanka, the Board of Investment said. The island’s investment promotion agency said in a statement the 15-member delegation consists of senior Chinese economists and researchers. The BOI statement quoted […]
Sri Lanka foreign reserves lower at US$5.0bn in December
Feb 16, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka foreign reserves eased to 5,067 million US dollars in December 2009, from 5,228 million US dollar in November which was equal to about 6. 2 months of imports, the Central Bank said. From October the central bank started injecting domestic liquidity which halted the foreign reserves collection process. […]
Sri Lanka policy rates frozen amid debt monetization, inflation
Feb 16, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has held policy rates steady in February as inflation accelerated, the budget deficit expanded and excess bank reserves were created through a ‘quantity easing’ exercise as debt was monetized. Central Bank said it was holding its main ‘reverse repo’ policy rate through which money is being injected to […]
Sri Lanka stocks 0.71-pct down
Feb 16, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed lower Tuesday dragged down by the fall in prices of shares which had rallied on speculation, while selected blue chip stocks made gains, brokers said. The All Share Price Index closed at 3,691.04, down 26.47 points while the Milanka index of more liquid shares fell 0. […]
Sri Lanka budget deficit hit 8.5-pct of GDP for 10-months
Feb 15, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s budget deficit has hit an estimated 8.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in the first ten months of the year, despite a recovery in revenues as expenses grew at a faster pace, the latest data showed. Up to October the government was able to borrow domestically without […]
EU to cut Sri Lanka trade benefits over rights
BRUSSELS, February 15, 2010 (AFP) – European Union nations decided Monday to withdraw preferential trade benefits from Sri Lanka due to “significant shortcomings” on human rights issues, the EU Commission announced. Sri Lanka gains about 150 million dollars annually due to preferential tariffs, according to trade estimates. The island’s clothing industry is the main beneficiary, […]
Sri Lankan shares close 0.2-pct higher
Feb 15, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan stocks closed up 0. 2 percent Monday but an index of liquid shares fell as investors sold blue chips, brokers said. The All Share Price Index closed at 3,717.51, up 0.20 percent (7.54 points) while the Milanka index of more liquid shares fell 0.48 percent (20.05 points) to […]
Sri Lanka eyes 10-year sovereign bond
Feb 13, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is eyeing a 10-year 500 million US dollar sovereign bond after May 2010 when funding needs becomes clear after a budget is passed in April, an official said. Sri Lanka has sold two 500 million US dollar sovereign bonds in 2007 and 2009 with a 5-year maturity. “We […]
Sri Lanka stocks end down 0.40-pct
Feb 12, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares ended weaker Friday, dragged down by more profit taking following the recent rally and the fall in the prices of shares with a big weighting on the indices, brokers said. In one, 62,000 shares of John Keells Holdings were traded at 162 rupees each. John Keells Holdings […]