Weekly Treasury bill auction in focus

By Wealth Trust Securities

The weekly Treasury bill auction due today will have on offer Rs. 90 billion, consisting of Rs. 35 billion on the 91 day maturity, Rs. 30 billion on the 182 day maturity and further Rs. 25 billion on the 364 day maturity. 

At last week’s auction, weighted average rates remained steady for a second consecutive week at 33.05%, 32.53% and 29.60% on the 91-day, 182-day and 364-day maturities respectively.

A total amount of Rs. 69.64 billion was ace[ted at the auction while a further amount of Rs. 4.18 billion was raised at its Phase II. 

Meanwhile, activity in the secondary bond market was at a standstill yesterday. In the secondary bill market, 2 December maturity changed hands at a level of 30.00%.

The total secondary market Treasury bond/bill transacted volume for 31 October was Rs. 3.38 billion.   

In money markets, the weighted average rates on Repo and Call money stood at 15.50% each yesterday. An amount of Rs. 666.32 billion was withdrawn from Central Bank’s Standard Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of 15.50%. The net liquidity deficit stood at Rs. 332.97 billion as an amount of Rs. 333.35 billion was deposited at Central Bank’s Standard Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) of 14.50%.

Forex market 

In the forex market, the middle rate for USD/LKR spot contracts remained steady at Rs. 363.30 yesterday.

The total USD/LKR traded volume for 31 October was $ 1.80 million.  

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