Category: Markets
Sri Lanka securities regulator files charges on market manipulation
Jun 26, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed an action in the Magistrate’s Court against two investors on charges of having committed the offence of market manipulation with regard to the shares of E-Channelling PLC. The action was filed on the basis of evidence elicited during the course of […]
First Capital upgrades exchange rate outlook for 2019E to LKR 180 from 194
Jun 13, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s First Capital Research has upgraded their exchange rate outlook for 2019E to 1 USD: LKR 180 from 194 as their 65 percent base case scenario. The firm has also introduced a 12-month target for Jun 2020E of 1 USD: LKR 185 as a 60 percent base case scenario. […]
‘s bonds after CBSL cuts rates
June 8, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government bond market saw net foreign outflows of US$20mn in the week after the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) cut interest rates. These outflows reversed all the inflows that were seen in the previous two weeks and sent net foreign outflows for the year 2019 to an […]
Sri Lanka official reserves fall to USD 6.7bn by end May from 7.2bn in April
Jun 07, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves were 6,732.4 million US dollars by the end of May, down from 7,212.7 million US dollars in April, latest Central Bank data showed. By the end of May, foreign currency reserves were 5,824.3 million dollars while the reserve position in the IMF was 65.9 million […]
‘s stocks/bonds as security situation stabilises
June 1, 2019 (LBO) – Foreign institutions were net buyers of Sri Lankan stocks and bonds in the past week as the security situation in the country stabilises after the Easter Sunday terror attacks. Net foreign inflows of Rs1bn (US.6mn) into stocks and bonds were seen in the past week. This comes on the back […]
Central Bank suspends business activities of NatWealth Securities Limited
May 31, 2019 (LBO) – Central Bank having considered the continuous failure to comply with directions applicable to primary dealers has decided to suspend NatWealth Securities Limited (NWSL) from carrying on the business and activities of a Primary Dealer for a period of six months. The Central Bank, however, said it will take necessary measures […]
Amidst elevated market lending rates, private sector credit contracted notably: CBSL
May 31, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank on Friday said the market lending rates remained downward rigid, despite the measures already taken while the private sector credit showing a notable contraction. Sizable liquidity injections through the reductions in the Statutory Reserve Ratio (SRR) along with appropriate and prudent open market operations (OMOs) have […]
World Bank to allocate USD 250mn policy based guarantee to Sri Lanka for external borrowings
May 29, 2019 (LBO) – The World Bank has offered 250 million US dollars worth policy based guarantee to Sri Lanka for the external borrowings, the Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy said. According to the Governor, under this facility Sri Lanka can leverage the guarantee four times over to borrow money from the international market […]
Sri Lanka rupee appreciated 3.8-pct against the US dollar up to 28 May 2019
May 29, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lankan rupee appreciated against the US dollar by 3.8 percent by end March 2019 compared to end 2018. “Along with the significant reduction in the trade deficit and significant inflows to the financial account, the Sri Lankan rupee appreciated against the US dollar by 3.8 percent by end March […]
First Capital Research allocates 95-pct probability for a policy rate cut
May 27, 2019 (LBO) – First Capital Research has allocated a 95 percent probability for a policy rate cut in May 2019 as they are of the view that policy intervention is inevitable to revive the overly sluggish economy and credit growth. “Despite the Road Map towards a single policy rate, we believe a rate […]
Strong possibility of a rate cut; interest rate decline to boost stock market: Capital Trust
May 26, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy has hinted a strong possibility of a policy rate cut at the next monetary policy review meeting scheduled on 31 May 2019. According to the Governor there is a strong case for relaxing monetary policy. “All options are there, it could be a […]
Foreign outflow from Sri Lanka government bonds reverses in past week
May 24, 2019 (LBO) – Foreign investors moved back into Sri Lanka government bonds during the past week slightly reversing significant outflows that were experienced in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday terror attacks. Foreign investors were net purchasers of Rs2.1bn (US$12mn) worth of Sri Lanka’s government securities during the past week. This comes on […]