Secondary bond market at complete standstill

By Wealth Trust Securities

Activity in secondary bond markets was at a complete standstill yesterday as most market participants were seen on the sidelines. 

A limited amount of activity was seen on the 01.07.19, 01.01.24, 15.03.25 and 01.08.25 at levels of 12.40%, 13.25% and 13.35% each respectively. The total secondary market Treasury bond transacted volume for 17 March was Rs. 2.8 billion. Given below are the closing secondary market yields for the most frequently traded T-bills and bonds.

In money markets, the infusing of an amount of Rs. 12.73 billion at a weighted average of 8.50% on an overnight basis by the OMO Department of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka saw the overnight call money and repo rates remain mostly unchanged to average at 8.50% and 8.55% respectively yesterday. The net deficit in the system stood at Rs. 16.19 billion.

Rupee appreciates 

The USD/LKR rate on the active two weeks forward contracts appreciated yesterday to close the day at levels of Rs. 152.40/50 against the previous day’s closing levels of Rs. 152.55/70 on the back of export conversions and dollar selling by banks offsetting importer demand as activity moderated.

The total USD/LKR traded volume for 17 March was $ 95.50 million.

 Given below are some forward USD/LKR rates that prevailed in the market.