364-day bill WAvg changes for the first time in eight weeks

Thursday, 4 December 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Wealth Trust Securities The weighted average (WAvg) on the 364-day bill reflected a change for the first time in eight weeks as it was seen easing by 01 basis point to 5.99%, following seven weeks at 6.00%.

However, the weighted average on the 182-day bill remained unchanged at 5.84% for a second consecutive week with the 364-day bill reflecting 57% of the total accepted amount, which was Rs 4.6 billion higher than the initial total offered amount of Rs. 10 billion. In secondary bond markets, activity continued to remain dull, leading t

o the auction and subsequent to it as well, due to most market participants seen on the sidelines amidst the prevailing uncertainties. A limited amount of activity was seen on the maturities of 15.08.2018 and 01.07.2022 within the range of 7.28% to 7.32% and 8.28% to 8.32% respectively. In addition, the 01.04.2018 and the 01.07.2019 maturities were seen quoted at levels of 7.18/25 and 7.35/45 respectively while in secondary bill markets, the 364-day and 182-day bills were quoted at levels of 6.95/02 and 6.80/85 respectively subsequent to the release of the auction results. In money markets, the weighted averages on overnight call money and repo rates increased further to 6.13% and 6.14% respectively as a considerable proportion of the surplus liquidity of Rs. 34.99 billion was deposited at the standing deposit facility rate of 6.50%. Rupee depreciates again In Forex markets, the dollar/rupee (USD/LKR) rate on spot next-next contracts depreciated once again to close the day at levels of 131.75/85 against its previous day’s closing levels of Rs 131.73/75 on renewed importer demand. The total USD/LKR traded volume for 2 December 2014 was at $ 27.65 million. Some of the forward dollar rates that prevailed in the market were 1 Month - 132.31; 3 Months -133.25 and 6 Months - 134.45.