Category: Economy and Markets
Haycarb records turnover of Rs.5.9Bn and PBT of Rs.458Mn for 1H 2016/17
(PRESS RELEASE) – The Sri Lankan multinational Haycarb PLC reported a revenue of Rs. 5.9 billion and profit before tax of Rs. 458 million for the six months ending 30th September 2016. The profit after tax stood at Rs. 374 million. The turnover increased by 8%, while the profit before tax and after tax recorded […]
Sri Lankan rupee weaker on importer dollar demand
Nov 02, 2016 (Reuters) – The Sri Lankan rupee was weaker on Wednesday due to dollar demand from importers, dealers said, while the market shrugged off central bank chief Indrajit Coomaraswamy’s comment on the currency’s stability in the near future. Coomarswamy late on Tuesday said he expected the rupee to stabilise when the billion sale […]
GSP+ final decision by May 2017, tangible progress needed: EU
Nov 02, 2016 (LBO) – National reconciliation, the empowerment of women and Sri Lanka’s application for the General System of Preferences (GSP+) were the main focus of discussions of the four member delegation of the European Parliament. On GSP+, they stressed that the decision on Sri Lanka’s application will also need the approval of the […]
Monetary policy could still be considered accomodative: Central Bank
Nov 02, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank said on Tuesday that despite a tightening in interest rates this year, that monetary policy could still be considered accomodative. Growth in credit to the private sector could slow to around 20 percent by the end of the year, from the 27.3 percent in August, Assistant […]
Asian shares, dollar rattled by U.S. election uncertainty
TOKYO, Nov 2 (Reuters) – Asian shares stumbled and the U.S. dollar was on the defensive on Wednesday as signs that Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump could be closing the gap with his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton spooked investors. Anxiety in markets has deepened over a possible Trump victory given uncertainty on the Republican […]
Asia stocks, dollar wrestle with US political risk
SYDNEY, Nov 3 (Reuters) – Asia shares eased on Thursday while the U.S. dollar stayed on the defensive as a tightening U.S. presidential race saw the S&P 500 suffer its longest losing streak in five years as investors fled to safer harbours. Sovereign bonds, gold, the yen and Swiss franc were all in favour, and […]
Sri Lankan shares hit fresh 3-mth closing low ahead of budget
Nov 01, 2016 (Reuters) – Sri Lankan shares extended losses for a third straight session to close Tuesday at a fresh three-month low as investors shrugged off the central bank’s decision to keep rates unchanged. The central bank held the benchmark interest rates on hold late on Monday, as expected, saying its monetary policy stance […]
Sri Lankan rupee ends weaker on importer dollar demand
Nov 01, 2016 (Reuters) – The Sri Lankan rupee ended weaker on Tuesday due to dollar demand from importers, dealers said, a day after the country’s central bank kept key policy rates steady. Despite the rupee being under downward pressure, the central bank kept its benchmark interest rates on hold late on Monday, as expected, […]
Sri Lanka ranks 31st in Global Youth Development Index
Nov 01, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has been ranked 31st in the Global Youth Development Index (YDI) 2016 based on a country’s condition for the youth in terms of employment, education, health, civic and political spheres. The YDI is a composite index of 18 indicators that collectively measure multi-dimensional progress on youth development in […]
Sierra starts joint venture in Fiji to manufacture power cables
Nov 01, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Sierra Cables has decided to jointly invest in a new power cable manufacturing plant in Fiji, the company said in a stock exchange filing. Sierra Cables said it entered the joint venture agreement with three Fijian companies namely Vinod Patel & Co. Ltd, RC Manubhai & Co. Ltd […]
Asia stocks wallow at 6-wk lows, China PMIs in focus; oil down
HONG KONG, Nov 1 (Reuters) – Asian stocks wallowed near six-week lows on Tuesday as investors braced for a looming raft of economic and central bank events, while oil prices fell as markets doubted OPEC’s ability to implement planned production cuts. Market anxiety deepened in recent sessions after the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Friday […]
Sri Lanka Central Bank keeps rates steady ahead of budget
Oct 31, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s central bank on Monday decided to keep its key interest rates steady, a few days ahead of the national budget. Accordingly, the Standing Deposit Facility Rate and the Standing Lending Facility Rate of the Central Bank will be maintained at 7.00 percent and 8.50 percent, respectively. Monetary Policy […]