Sri Lanka rupee weaker, bond yields up in early trade

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee opened weaker 178.15/40 to the US dollar in the spot market on Tuesday, while bonds yields were up and stocks, dealers and brokers said.

The rupee closed at 177.80/95 to the US dollar in the spot market on Monday.

Bond markets were active, after an unusually quiet Monday, dealers said.

Twelve month bills were quoted at  10.68/78 percent in early morning trade on Tuesday, up from Monday’s close of 10.65/70 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.08.2021 was quoted at 10.95/05 percent, up from  the previous close of 10.94/00 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.12.2023, was quoted at  11.00/10 percent, up from Monday’s 11.00/07 percent.

A 7-year bond maturing 01.08.2026 was quoted at 11.28/33 percent on Tuesday higher than yesterday’s close of 11.20/28 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.01.2027, was quoted at 11.30/35 percent, up from the previous close of 11.27/32 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.09.2028 was quoted at 11.35/50 percent, compared to 11.35/45 percent on Tuesday.

At the Colombo Stock Exchange, the All Share Price Index was down 0.29 percent or 17.15 points to 5,943.47, while the more liquid S&P SL20 Index was down 0.45 percent or 13.10 points to 3,049.31.

Market turnover was 363.7 million rupees.

Selling in John Keells share, down 2.70 rupees to 155 rupees, drove nearly half the turnover.

Access Engineering share was trading flat at 14 rupees. (Colombo/Feb12/2019-SB- Updated 10:40)