Category: Economy and Markets
Sri Lanka bonds spike, bills rejected amid heavy forex interventions
Oct 22, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka rejected an entire Treasury bill auction Wednesday while the yield of a bond popular among foreign investors spiked and heavy central bank intervention in currency markets continued, dealers said. The government’s debt office said all bids at the auction were rejected. Last week 3-month bills were auctioned at […]
Sri Lanka stocks slide gathers momentum
Oct 21, 2008 (LBO) – The slide in Sri Lankan shares deepened Tuesday with sharp falls in blue chips and trading volumes increasing, brokers said.Dialog Telekom closed flat at eight rupees Bartleet Mallory Stockbrokers said price losers significantly outdid price gainers by 118 to 11 in Tuesday’s trading. They said in their market report that […]
Fed chief backs US spending plan as markets clutch at latest straw
WASHINGTON, October 21, 2008 (AFP) – The head of the US Federal Reserve backed a stimulus plan for the flagging American economy, buoying stock markets despite gloomy unemployment figures and fears the rebound could be limited. Asian markets tracked gains on Wall Street, where stocks soared after Fed chief Ben Bernanke said US lawmakers should […]
Sri Lanka stocks tumble, Dialog block changes hands
Oct 20, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares fell over 1.5 percent Monday with large trades in blue chips as fears remained that foreign investors might sell and put their money in other markets that have fallen steeply, brokers said. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘lbo’ and send to […]
Sri Lanka central bank says inflation will fall till November
Oct 20, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s central bank says consumer inflation, which fell to 24.3 percent in September, will continue to fall till November in the light of tight policy in 2008 and falling global commodity prices. Central Bank governor Nivard Cabraal told LBO earlier this month that he expected inflation to be slightly […]
Forum set up to promote security of US ventures in Asia
WASHINGTON, October 19, 2008 (AFP) – The United States is to launch a forum to promote security of largely American businesses in Asia amid concerns on issues ranging from copyright piracy to terrorism threats, officials said.The forum, pushed for by US companies in the region, will be inaugurated this week under the Overseas Security Advisory […]
Sri Lanka central bank reserve outflow continues; bill stock spikes to Rs40bn
Oct 19, 2008 (LBO) – The treasury bills portfolio of Sri Lanka’s central bank topped 40 billion rupees (370 million US dollars) by mid-October, according to the latest official data, indicating a continuing drain of foreign reserves. The central bank has been defending a US dollar peg at 108 rupees and injecting money into the […]
Recession fears haunt commodity markets
LONDON, October 17, 2008 (AFP) – World commodity prices tumbled this week, with oil striking a 17-month low point under 66 dollars a barrel in London, as fears of a global recession weighed on demand for raw materials. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘act (space) lbo’ and send to […]
‘s LIOC draws interest as share trading dries up
Oct 17, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares ended almost flat after fluctuating in thin trading Friday with petroleum retailer Lanka Indian Oil Corp (LIOC) drawing interest on weaker oil prices, brokers said. The stock ended down two percent (1.50 rupees) at 72.50 rupees with 589,500 shares traded. Dialog Telekom gained 25 cents to end […]
Asia should consider bank guarantees in current turmoil: IMF
WASHINGTON, October 17, 2008 (AFP) – Asian economies may have to consider guaranteeing bank deposits as a defensive option against global market turmoil although the region’s financial system remains sound, the IMF’s Asia chief believes. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘act (space) lbo’ and send to 678 European nations […]
Sri Lanka urged to promote local business in eastern revival
Oct 17, 2008 (LBO) – An international conflict watchdog has urged the Sri Lankan government to ensure greater fairness and preference to local businesses in the economic development of the eastern region which was cleared of Tamil Tigers. The International Crisis Group said in a new report on Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province that the government […]
’s emerging middle class spend more on convenience
Oct 16, 2008 (LBO) – Changing Sri Lankan middle class consumer habits and inflation reducing spending power is forcing consumer goods marketers to change strategies to keep growth ticking. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘lbo’ and send to 678 Emerging middle class consumers are showing a growing preference for […]