Bond yields increase in thin trade

• Rupee appreciates 

Secondary bond market yields were seen increasing marginally yesterday as the liquid maturities of 01.09.23, 15.09.24 and 01.12.24 changed hands at levels of 6.22% to 6.28%, 6.62% to 6.64%, and 6.70% respectively. Furthermore, 15.01.26 and 2027’s (15.08.27 and 15.10.27) were seen changing hands at levels of 7.05% and 7.50% as well. In secondary bills, May 2021 and January 2022 bills traded at levels of 4.85% to 4.90% and 5.08% respectively.  In money markets, the weighted average rates on call money and repo were registered at 4.55% and 4.57% respectively while surplus liquidity in the system decreased to Rs. 132.78 billion. 

The total secondary market Treasury bond/bill transacted volume for 17 March was Rs. 26.41 billion.   

 Rupee appreciates  

In the Forex market, USD/LKR rate on the more active one-week forward contracts was seen appreciating yesterday to close the day at Rs. 198/199 in comparison to its previous day’s closing level of Rs. 201.50/203. 

The total USD/LKR traded volume for 17 was $ 60.15 million.   

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