Weekly averages unchanged; demand drops sharply

By Wealth Trust Securities

The total accepted amount at yesterday’s Treasury bills auction decreased sharply to a low of 21.50% of its total offered amount as only Rs. 16.12 billion was successfully taken up against its offered amount of Rs. 75 billion. 

The weighted average rates remained steady across the board at 33.05%, 32.53% and 29.60% on the 91-day, 182-day and 364-day maturities respectively while phase 2 of the auction will be opened for all three maturities at its weighted average rates until close of business on the day prior to settlement (i.e., 3:30 p.m. on 20.10.22). 

The secondary bond market was inactive yesterday with only the 01.07.25 maturity changing hands at a level of 32.00% while 18 November 2022 and 14 April 2023 bill maturities traded at a level of 27.90% and 32.25% respectively.

The total secondary market Treasury bond/bill transacted volume for 18 October 2022 was Rs. 5.25 billion.  

In money markets, the weighted average rates on overnight Call money and Repo rates stood at 15.50% each while an amount of Rs. 700.52 billion was withdrawn from Central Bank’s SLFR (Standard Deposit Facility Rate) of 15.50%. The net liquidity deficit stood at Rs. 374.12 billion yesterday as an amount of Rs. 326.40 billion was deposited at Central Bank’s SDFR (Standard Deposit Facility Rate) of 14.50%.

Forex market 

In the forex market, the middle rate for USD/LKR spot contracts remained steady at Rs. 363.38 yesterday.

The total USD/LKR traded volume for 18 October was $ 86.50 million. 

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