Activity moderates in secondary bond market

By Wealth Trust Securities

Activity in secondary bond markets moderated yesterday with yields increasing marginally. Limited trades of the liquid maturities of 01.03.21, 01.10.22 and 01.08.26 were witnessed within the range of 11.20% to 11.22%, 11.45% to 11.46% and 11.60% to 11.64% respectively whilst the 01.09.28 and 15.05.30 maturities were seen changing hands in the range of 11.77% to 11.78% and 11.95% respectively.

Meanwhile in money markets, the Open Market Operations (OMO) Department of Central Bank of Sri Lanka injected an amount of Rs.50.00 billion at a weighted average of 8.49% by way of an overnight reverse repo auction as the net liquidity shortfall in the system increased to Rs.48.49 billion. The overnight call money and repo rates averaged at 8.40% and 9.08% respectively.

Rupee dips marginally 

In Forex markets, the rupee on spot contracts deprecated marginally to close the day at Rs.145.90/00 against its previous day’s closing levels of Rs.145.65/80 on the back of continued importer demand.

The total USD/LKR traded volume for 15 September was $ 89.37 million.

Given are some forward USD/LKR rates that prevailed in the market: one month - 146.70/80; three months – 148.35/45; six months – 150.80/90.