Bond market activity continues at moderate pace

By Wealth Trust Securities

The activity level in the secondary bond market continued at a moderate pace yesterday as the liquid maturities of 01.05.24, 15.01.25 and 15.05.26 changed hands at yields of 31.75%, 32.50% to 32.80% and 30.60% to 31.05% respectively against its previous day’s closing levels of 31.50/31.80, 32.00/32.50 and 30.75/31.25. 

In addition, maturities of 15.07.29 and 01.07.32 traded at yields of 27.75% to 28.00% and 26.50% to 27.25% respectively. In secondary bills, trades were reported on January-February, March and June, along with December 2023 maturities at levels of 25.50% to 28.50%, 30.00% to 31.00%, 32.00% to 32.20% and 29.00% respectively.  

The total secondary market Treasury bond/bill transacted volume for 14 December 2022 was Rs. 81.93 billion.   

In money markets, an amount of Rs. 365.41 billion was deposited at Central Banks SDFR (Standard Deposit Facility Rate) of 14.50% while the weighted average rates on overnight call money and REPO stood at 15.50% each.

Forex Market 

In the Forex market, the middle rate for USD/LKR spot contracts remained steady at Rs. 363.18 yesterday.

The total USD/LKR traded volume for 14 December was $ 26.35 million.  

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