Bourse at one-week low as IMF warns on economic risks

Thursday, 14 February 2013 00:16 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters: Stocks slipped to a one-week low on Wednesday in thin volume as cautious investors stood by as the International Monetary Fund said growth was slowing more than the Government had expected.

A visiting IMF mission said Sri Lanka was facing additional risks from high inflation, lower tax revenue and slow structural reforms.

The main share index fell 0.16%, or 9.09 points, to end at 5,827.02, its lowest since 7 February.

The Central Bank on Tuesday said authorities had decided not to pursue a new loan from the IMF, which had said it may not be in a position to consider any direct or indirect budget support to Sri Lanka.

“The concern is now if the interest rates will go up,” a stockbroker said on condition of anonymity. “Since the expected IMF money is not going to materialise, Sri Lanka will need to go for expensive commercial borrowing.”

Turnover was Rs. 608.44 million ($ 4.82 million), less than this year’s daily average of Rs. 1.17 billion.

Foreign investors were net buyers of Rs. 159 million worth of shares on Wednesday, but they have been net sellers of Rs. 1.1 billion so far this year.

The rupee ended weaker at 126.40/60 to the dollar from Tuesday’s close of 126.15/25, dealers said.