Secondary bond market yields close mostly unchanged  

By Wealth Trust Securities

Secondary bond market yields were seen closing the day mostly unchanged yesterday, subsequent to dipping in the morning hours of trading, kicking of a new trading week. 

The liquid maturities of 15.03.23 and two 2024s (15.06.24 and 15.09.24) were seen hitting intraday lows of 9.45%, 9.85% and 9.80% respectively from its opening highs of 9.58% and 9.90% each. However, selling interest saw yield increase once again to its opening levels and close the day mostly unchanged to its previous trading day’s closings. 

In addition, the maturities of 15.07.23, two 2024s (i.e. 01.01.24 and 01.08.24), 01.08.26 and 15.10.27 were seen changing hands at levels of 9.60%, 9.85% to 9.95%, 10.12% to 10.22% and 10.00% respectively. 

The total secondary market Treasury bond transacted volume for 29 November was Rs. 16.67 billion.

Given below are the closing, secondary market yields of the most frequently traded T-bills and bonds.     

In money markets, the Open Market Operations (OMO) Department of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka refrained from conducting any auction yesterday as the net liquidity surplus decreased to Rs. 18.80 billion. The overnight call money and repo rates averaged 7.47% and 7.50% respectively. 

LKR losses   

   In the Forex market, the USD/LKR rate on spot contracts was seen depreciating yesterday to close the day at Rs. 181.15/30 against its previous day’s closing levels of Rs. 180.90/00 on the back of buying interest by banks.

The total USD/LKR traded volume for 29 November 2019 was $ 89.94 million.

The following are some of the forward USD/LKR rates that prevailed in the market: one month - 181.55/75; three months - 182.50/80 and six months - 184.35/65.