Bond market activity moderates

By Wealth Trust Securities

The activity in the secondary bond market remained rather dull at the start of a new trading week yesterday. Limited trades were seen on the 01.07.25, 15.05.26 and 15.09.27 maturities at levels of 27.75%, 26.90% and 25.60% respectively. Nevertheless, demand for 1 year Treasury bills saw March and April 2024 maturities changing hands at levels of 22.00% to 22.64%.

The total secondary market Treasury bond/bill transacted volume for 12 April 2023 was Rs. 6.08 billion.

In money markets, the net liquidity deficit stood at Rs. 187.94 billion yesterday, as the full amount was withdrawn from Central Banks SLFR (Standard Lending Facility Rate) of 16.50%. The weighted average rates on overnight call money and REPO stood at 16.50% each.

Forex Market

In the Forex market, the USD/LKR rate on spot contracts traded at Rs. 320.00 yesterday against its previous day’s range of Rs. 320.00/320.25 and closed the day at Rs. 319.50/321.00.

The total USD/LKR traded volume for 12 April was $ 87.45 million.

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