Primary T-bill rates edge up slightly

• Rupee steady

By Wealth Trust Securities 

The weekly Treasury bill weighted average rates continued its upward trend for a third consecutive week at its auctions held yesterday. 

The 182-day maturity recorded the highest increase of 30 basis points to 25.27% while the 91-day and 364-day maturities increased by 09 and 04 basis points respectively to 25.74% and 23.00%. 

The total offered volume of Rs. 115 billion was successfully taken up at the auction as the 91-day bill accounted for Rs. 73.51 billion of the total accepted amounts against its offered amount of Rs. 60 billion.

Phase 2 of the auction will be opened for all three maturities at its weighted average yields, until close of business today. (i.e., 3.30 p.m. on 27.04.2023). Given below are the details of the auction,

Rs. 115.000 billion       Rs. 207.710 billion     Rs. 115.000 billion

In the secondary bond market, liquid maturities of 01.07.25 and two 2027’s (i.e., 01.05.27 and 15.09.27) traded at levels of 28.50% and 25.60% to 25.75% respectively.

The total secondary market Treasury bond/bill transacted volume for 25 April 2023 was Rs. 10.62 billion.

In money markets, the weighted average rates on overnight call money and REPO stood at 16.47% and 16.50% respectively while an amount of Rs. 144.46 billion was withdrawn from Central Banks SLFR (Standard Lending Facility Rate) of 16.50%.

Forex Market 

In the Forex market, the USD/LKR rate on spot contracts remained mostly unchanged to close the day at Rs. 321.50/321.90, subsequent to trading at Rs. 321.80. The total USD/LKR traded volume for 25 April was $ 92.38 million.  

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