Short tenure yields edge up in thin trade

By Wealth Trust Securities

In secondary bond markets yesterday, yields on the shorter end of the yield curve was seen increasing as the liquid maturities of 15 May 2017 and 1 June 2018 was seen hitting intraday highs of 8.20% and 8.80% respectively against its previous days closings of 8.10/15 and 8.45/60. 

In addition, a limited amount of activity was witnessed on the maturities of 1 July 2019, 1 May 2020, 1 August 2021 and 1 September 2023 within the range of 9.43% to 9.47%, 9.60% to 9.63%, 9.80% to 9.85% and 10.00% to 10.05% respectively. 

Meanwhile, continued demand for secondary market bills saw durations centering March to August 2016 change hands within the range 7.00% to 7.15% once again. 

In money markets yesterday, surplus liquidity dipped to Rs. 59.73 billion yesterday as overnight call money and repo rates remained steady to average 6.35% and 6.52% respectively.

 

Rupee holds steady near Rs. 141

The USD/LKR rate on spot contracts was seen closing the day at levels of Rs. 140.95/00 subsequent to changing hands within a narrow band of Rs. 140.95 to Rs. 140.98. The total USD/LKR traded volume for 22 September was $ 39.05 million. 

Some of the forward USD/LKR rates that prevailed in the market were one month – 141.55/65; three months – 142.80/00 and six months – 144.15/35.