Bond market remains dull

By Wealth Trust Securities

The fresh trading week in the secondary bond market commenced by continuing its dull sentiment as a majority of market participants opted to be on the sidelines. 

In secondary market bills, June and July maturities were seen changing hands at levels of 18.00% and 21.00% respectively.

The total secondary market Treasury bond/bill transacted volume for 19 April was Rs. 9.72 billion.   

In money markets, the net liquidity deficit stood at Rs. 579.32 billion yesterday as an amount of Rs. 146.33 billion was deposited at the Central Bank’s SDFR (Standard Deposit Facility Rate) of 13.50% against an amount of Rs. 725.65 billion withdrawn from Central Banks SLFR (Standard Deposit Facility Rate) of 14.50%. The weighted average rates on overnight Call money and REPO stood at 14.50% each.

Furthermore, the Domestic Operations Department (DOD) of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka was seen injecting an amount of Rs. 60.00 billion by way of a 14-day Reverse Repo auction at a weighted average rate of 20.57%, valued today.

Forex Market 

In forex markets, limited trades on the USD/LKR cash contracts were seen traded at a level of Rs. 346.60 yesterday while overall activity remained muted.   

The total USD/LKR traded volume for 21 April was $ 43.00 million.  

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