Sri Lanka rupee opens stronger, bond yields stable

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee opened slightly stronger at 181.65/85 to the US dollar on Thursday while bond yields remained flat and stocks opened 0.33 percent lower, brokers and dealers said.

The rupee closed at 181.80/95 against the greenback in the spot market on Wednesday.

In equities, Colombo’s All Share Price Index fell 18.97 points to 5,678.94 and the S&P SL20 index of more liquid stocks gained 0.29 percent or 7.92 points to 2,754.74, in the first half-hour of trade.

The market turnover was 418 million rupees with 15 stocks gaining and 29 falling.

Ceylon Tobacco Company was down 24.90 rupees to 1,050.00 rupees a share, Commercial Leasing and Finance 20 cents down at 3.00 rupees a share and Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka down 30 cents to 15.70 rupees a share, contributing to ASPI’s fall.

In the secondary bond market, yields were stable, dealers said.

A bond maturing on 15.12.2021 was quoted at 8.75/8.80 percent on Thursday, steady from 8.75/82 percent at Wednesday’s close.

A bond maturing 15.07.2023 was quoted flat at 9.85/90 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.09.2024 was quoted at 10.23/24 percent, marginally down from 10.24/29 percent on Wednesday.

A 15-year bond maturing on 15.09.2034 was quoted at 10.73/78 percent, flat from 10.73/80 percent.
(Colombo/Oct03/2019)