Category: Forex
‘s foreign debt servicing rises steadily
May 01, 2016 (LBO) – The amount Sri Lanka has spent on external debt repayment and interest has more than doubled over the last five years, Central Bank data shows. Earnings from exports, however, have not grown as much. Debt service payments increased to 4.7 billion dollars in 2015 from 1.8 billion dollars in 2011, […]
No reason to keep exporter’s money abroad: Central Banker
Apr 28, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lankan exporters do not have a clear reason to keep their money abroad as the Central Bank has already removed restrictions on foreign currency withdrawals from foreign currency accounts, a senior official said. Deputy Governor of the Central Bank Nandalal Weerasinghe speaking at an event said the exporters will […]
Sri Lanka to sign MOU with China to enhance market liquidity
Apr 07, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who is currently on an official visit to China is to sign an MOU in view of maintaining financial stability of the country by enhancing liquidity of the market. The cabinet nod has been given to the above proposal yesterday at the weekly cabinet […]
India likely to cut rates, eyes on FOMC minutes
Apr 04, 2016 (LBO) – Both the Reserve Bank of India and the Reserve Bank of Australia will announce interest rate decisions on Tuesday, with Moody’s Analytics expecting the RBI to cut its policy rate by 25 basis points to 6.5 percent. The Monetary Authority of Singapore will also meet this week, and analysts expect […]
Sri Lanka rates held unchanged after monetary policy meeting
Mar 29, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s monetary board held interest rates unchanged after a monthly monetary policy meeting, surprising some market participants who expected a rate increase. Seven out of 13 economists expected the Central Bank to raise rates to tackle high credit growth and pressure on the Rupee, according to a poll done […]
Investment Summit: Sri Lanka bonds attractive in Asia, say officials
Singapore, Mar 18, 2016 (LBO) – With Sri Lanka never defaulting on sovereign debt, rupee bonds are an attractive proposition within the bond offerings in Asia, presenters said at the Sri Lanka Investment Summit held in Singapore this week. Although devaluation of the yuan, and increase in Fed rates led to capital outflows, those outflows […]
Sri Lanka foreign reserves at USD6.6bn; IMF support by mid 2016
Mar 16, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves were estimated at 6.6 billion US dollars by today, Special Assignments Minister Sarath Amunugama said. Speaking at a media briefing Amunugama said it is sufficient for 4 months of imports. “It is recommended to keep at least 3 months of imports. So we are at […]
Sri Lanka wants to maintain rates at current levels: CB Governor
Feb 25, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s central bank governor hopes interest rates can be maintained at current levels, after a 50 basis point rate hike last week, but this will be determined by external factors, he said. The island’s policy rates are at 6.5 percent and 8 percent, while 10-year treasury bond yields have […]
Sri Lanka official reserves drop by USD1bn in January
Feb 08, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s official reserves have dropped by one billion US dollars to 6,301. 25 million dollars in January 2016 from 7,303.64 million dollars from a month ago, Central Bank data showed. Sri Lanka’s reserves are categorized in terms of five main items namely: foreign currency reserves, IMF reserves, special drawing […]
Interview: Attractive returns on Sri Lanka bonds due to volatility
Jan 20, 2016 (LBO) – Out of emerging markets, Sri Lanka bonds offer well above average returns through trading opportunities due to strong volatility, a market participant said. Data shows rupee treasury bonds posting more than 25 turning points last year, a clear sign of volatility in the secondary market. Swings of between 25 to […]
Probability of US March rate hike drops, eyes on Davos
Jan 20, 2016 (LBO) – The probability of a rate hike by the U.S. Fed by March fell to 40 percent with equity markets off to a bad start this year, as focus turns to the World Economic Forum in Davos. JPMorgan expects the next US interest rate hike in June, and some analysts predict […]
Medium term growth prospects for Sri Lanka market: CT CLSA
Jan 12, 2016 (LBO) – The Sri Lankan economy is forecast to grow 6 percent 2016 with fiscal proposals to stimulate manufacturing, export and construction offering growth prospects in the medium term, CT CLSA Securities said in its Sri Lanka Outlook 2016 report. “The 2016E fiscal proposals to stimulate manufacturing, export and construction sectors are […]