Category: Economy and Markets
‘s Hemas Holdings to raise debt for ongoing expansion plans
October 30, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s conglomerate Hemas Holdings Ltd plans to raise a billion rupees in debt next year to fund expansion plans in its leisure, power, health sectors, its CEO Hussein Esufally said. The family controlled conglomerate, which has diverse interest in health and personal care, power generation and transport said its […]
‘s treasury bond yields up 1%
October 30, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s borrowing costs went up by 1-percent at this week’s bond auction, reflecting market sentiment for higher yields. The Central Bank sold a small quantity of three, four and five-year treasury bonds on Monday at yields higher than the previous auction. Treasury Bond Auctions 3-years 4-years 5-years Date […]
Belgium businessmen hunt in Sri Lanka for investment opportunities
Oct 25, 2006 (LBO) – A group of Belgian investors began a three-day visit in Colombo, scouting for potential investment opportunities to grow trade between both nations, officials said. Belgium’s ‘Duvel’ beer will also be launched in Sri Lanka to coincide with the visit. The trade balance is currently tipped in Sri Lanka’s favour, with […]
‘s one-year treasury yield at 12.03%
October 25, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s borrowing costs continued to climb up following Wednesday’s weekly treasury bill auction, with market players anticipating a further hike in policy rates next month, traders said. Yields on all maturities went up with the central bank refraining from printing money to keep rates down. Yields for three month […]
HSBC Sri Lanka secures a AAA (lka) rating from Fitch
October 20, 2006 (LBO) – HSBC Bank’s Sri Lankan unit has been rated AAA (lka) by Fitch Ratings Lanka for their long-term senior debt. ‘AAA’ (lka) is the highest rating assigned to in issuer or issues. The bank joins the local triple A club, which was earlier limited to Citibank N.A., Dialog Telekom, National Savings […]
”’ from Fitch
October 20, 2006 (LBO) – Citibank N.A. a unit of the Citigroup Inc., retained its AAA (lka) from Fitch Ratings Lanka Ltd, the agency said Friday. The local unit’s rating draws strength from its parent, Citigroup Inc (rated ‘AA+’). Given that the domestic entity is a branch using the ‘Citibank’ brand name and is operationally […]
Sri Lanka slaps limits on non-essential imports to curb credit growth
October 20, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has imposed fresh restrictions to limit imports of 44 non-essential items like electrical goods, chocolates, palm oil and cosmetics, in a bid to curb excessive credit growth. “A 50 percent margin deposit on the invoiced value of the imports should be placed by the importers at the time […]
Sri Lanka rupee gains despite negatives
October 19, 2006 (LBO) – The Sri Lankan rupee closed stronger at 105.70 against the U.S. dollar Thursday, gaining more than a rupee and shaking off losses made earlier in the week, dealers said. Dealers believe extra dollars flowed through a portfolio investment, and state banks which are usually on the buying side also stayed […]
’s economic growth
October 19, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s economy is expanding at a blistering pace led by the telecommunications sector, but an escalation in violence could erase some of the gains, the Asian Development Bank said. Less red tape, more deregulation would boost South Asia growth: ADBMANILA, Oct 19, 2006 (AFP) – South Asia has the […]
Treasury bill yields up 0.6%, above policy rates
October 18, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s borrowing costs went up sharply by over 0.5 percent following Wednesday’s weekly treasury bill auction, prompting market speculation that the central bank may hike policy rates further, dealers said.Yields for three month treasuries were up 62 basis points to 11.87 percent, six months gained 60 basis points to […]
Sri Lanka markets volatile as Tamil Tigers strike southern port
October 18, 2006 (LBO) – The Sri Lankan rupee clawed back from Tuesday’s all-time low on profit taking by most banks, while stocks snapped a two-day slide, following a seaborne attack by Tamil Tiger rebels on the Galle port early Wednesday.Call rates transacted in the brokers’ market were 12.60 percent over a shortfall over around […]
Sri Lanka raises US$ 340 mn in foreign investments: BOI
October 18, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has managed to attract just over 340 million dollars in foreign investments for the eight months to July, the Board of Investment said Wednesday on account of telecom and clothing related projects. Over 60 percent of the investments have so far come from telecommunications, software developments and business […]