Category: Money
Sri Lanka official reserves improve to USD 8.5 bn in August
Sep 06, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves were 8,532.6 million US dollars by the end of August, up from 8,343.9 million US dollars in July, latest Central Bank data showed. By the end of August, foreign currency reserves were 7,494.7 million dollars while the reserve position in the IMF was 65.5 million […]
Rupee depreciation pressure experienced during past few days to be short-lived: Central Bank
Aug 23, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank expects the rupee depreciation pressure experienced during the past few days, to be short-lived. The Sri Lankan rupee appreciated against the US dollar by 2.4 percent so far during the year, although some depreciation pressure was experienced recently. The Central Bank said the depreciation pressure, mainly […]
Central Bank decides to reduce SDFR & SLFR by 50bps; SRR unchanged
Aug 23, 2019 (LBO) – Monetary Board of the Central Bank has decided to reduce the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) by 50 basis points to 7.00 percent and 8.00 percent, respectively. Statutory Reserve Ratio (SRR) unchanged. The Board said it arrived at this decision following a careful […]
Samurai Bond to support reserves to maintain around USD8Bn throughout 2019: FC
Aug 20, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s First Capital Research believes that the raising of 500 million dollars via Samurai Bonds is likely to support to maintain reserves around the 8 billion dollar mark throughout the rest of this year. As per the Governor of Central Bank, the government will soon issue Request for Proposals […]
First Capital assigns higher probability for neutral monetary policy stance
Aug 20, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s First Capital Research believes that the Central Bank may delay the monetary easing while allowing the impact of the previous rate cut to materialise. With manufacturing and credit signaling signs of recovery in economy and vulnerabilities affecting the external outlook, they assign a higher probability of 70 percent […]
Sri Lanka official reserves at USD 8.3bn by end July; YTD rupee appreciation 3.1-pct
Aug 09, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves were 8,343.9 million US dollars by the end of July, down from 8,864.98 million US dollars in June, latest Central Bank data showed. By the end of July, foreign currency reserves were 7,366.8 million dollars while the reserve position in the IMF was 65.8 million […]
Federal Reserve cuts interest rates for first time since 2008
Aug 02, 2019 (LBO) – The United States Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark rate by a quarter-point yesterday, its first rate cut since December 2008. The policymaking Federal Open Market Committee drops the target range to 2 percent to 2.25 percent for its overnight lending rate, or 25 basis points from the previous level. The […]
Sri Lanka’s 1st dollar sovereign bond fund poised for global investors
Jul 26, 2019 (LBO) – Strong demand on the recent issuance of Sri Lankan International Sovereign Bonds (ISB) signals potential for a strong economic recovery according to Ceylon Asset Management (CAM)) Director and Economic Advisor, Rainer Michael Preiss. “The decline in Sovereign Bond Yields indicate that the worst is over for Sri Lanka. The coupon […]
Sri Lanka Central Bank expects lending rates to reduce further in immediate future
July 19, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Central Bank expects lending rates of banks and NBFIs to reduce further in the immediate future, and borrowers, particularly SMEs, can expect to obtain credit facilities at reduced interest rates from banks and NBFIs. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka requested licensed banks and Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs) […]
Sri Lanka’s possible fiscal slippage, main argument for not relaxing policy: CBSL Chief
July 12, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s possible fiscal slippage is the main argument against relaxing monetary policy, the Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy said. Speaking to journalists in Colombo after the monthly monetary policy announcement, he said the government’s revenue has come down with increased expenditure, opening doors for a possible fiscal slippage. Monetary […]
Sri Lanka reserves improve to USD 8.9bn by end June; YTD rupee appreciation 4.1-pct
July 11, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves have reached 8.9 billion US dollars by end June 2019, following the receipt of 2 billion US dollars from the issuance of ISBs, providing an import cover of 5.1 months, the Central Bank said. The successful issuance of the International Sovereign Bonds (ISBs) in June […]
Monetary Policy to be maintained allowing impact of previous rate cut to materialize: FCR
July 08, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Monetary Board would continue the policy rates with no change, considering the fact that it is too early to assess the impact of the previous 50 bps rate cut, First Capital said in a research note. “We believe that Monetary Board may first consider, CBSL’s ability to implement […]