Bond market activity continues at a moderate pace

By Wealth Trust Securities

Activity in the secondary bond market remained moderate yesterday with limited trades on the maturities of 2022’s (i.e. 01.10.22 and 15.12.22) and 01.12.24 taking place at levels of 5.80% to 5.85% and 6.60% to 6.67% respectively. In the secondary bill market, 24 September 2021 maturity was traded at a level of 4.95%.

The total secondary market Treasury bond/bill transacted volume for 24 March 2021 was Rs. 8.45 billion.   

In money markets, the net liquidity surplus was seen increasing further yesterday to Rs. 107.01 billion, with Rs. 145.04 billion deposited at the Central Bank’s SDFR of 4.50% against Rs. 38.03 billion withdrawn from the Central Bank’s SLFR of 5.50%. The weighted average rates on call money and repo stood at 4.60% and 4.61% respectively.

USD/LKR 

In the Forex market, USD/LKR rate on the more active one-week forward contracts were seen closing the day at Rs.199.50/200 in comparison to its previous day closing level of Rs.199/199.50.

The total USD/LKR traded volume for 24 March was $ 89.85 million.   

(References: Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Bloomberg E-Bond trading platform, Money broking companies)