Category: Markets
Ranil sparks stock market Rebound
May 12, 2022 (LBO) – The main stock market indices in Sri Lanka surged on Thursday, the first day of trading following a market shut down due to curfews resulting from political violence throughout the country. The main indices finished up in-between 3-4% on light volume of Rs1.2bn (US$3mn). Due to the political violence and […]
Inflation is expected to peak at 29-pct in July; LKR to further depreciate
Inflation is expected to peak at 29% in July owing to potential price hikes in essential commodities like gas, electricity, and fuel prices, the First Capital Research said. CCPI further increased to 18.7% in March, exceeding the CBSL’s and FC Research’s desired range of 4%-6% and 5%-7% respectively. According to First Capital Research, the exchange […]
Colombo Stock Brokers Association defends the decision by SEC to temporarily close down CSE
Colombo Stock Brokers Association (CSBA) defends the decision by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) to temporarily close down the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) for 5 business days as a warranted measure, considering the prevailing economic crisis in the country as well as the disruptions faced by traders in conducting day to […]
SEC directs CSE to temporarily close stock market; CCC requests SEC to reconsider decision
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce requests the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission to reconsider the decision to direct the CSE to temporarily close the stock market for a period of five business days commencing from 18th April. “This action will be seen by market participants as akin to the unsuccessful attempt made to […]
Sri Lanka suspends normal debt servicing; announces interim policy on servicing external debt
Sri Lanka’s government has suspended the normal debt servicing of all affected debts, for an interim period pending an orderly and consensual restructuring of those obligations in a manner consistent with an economic adjustment program supported by the IMF. Announcing an interim policy regarding the servicing of Sri Lanka’s external public debt, the Ministry of […]
‘s official reserves down to USD 1.94bn in March
Sri Lanka’s official reserve assets were 1.9 billion US dollars (USD 1,939mn) by the end of March, further down from 2.3 billion US dollars in February this year, the latest Central Bank data showed. By the end of March, the foreign currency reserves were 1,724 million dollars while the reserve position in the IMF was […]
Bond yields to extend further surge; rate hike expectations for 2022E increased: FCR
In light of the weaker economic conditions, First Capital Research believes that the CBSL will maintain the momentum on tightening policy rates resulting in yields to further surge at an accelerated pace, and expect it to move further over upcoming months. Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves were recorded at USD 2.3Bn in Feb 22 and due […]
Ceylon Chamber welcomes CBSL move towards a more flexible exchange rate
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce commends the Governor and his team at Central Bank for permitting greater flexibility in the exchange rate. This action has been proposed by the Ceylon Chamber, on its own and along with other chambers on numerous occasions in the recent past. Hence, the Chamber is pleased to note this announcement […]
Sri Lanka maintains official reserves at USD 2.3bn in February
Sri Lanka’s official reserve assets were 2.3 billion US dollars (USD 2,314mn) by the end of February, slightly down from 2.3 billion US dollars (USD 2,361mn) in January this year, the latest Central Bank data showed. By the end of February, the foreign currency reserves were 2,025 million dollars while the reserve position in the […]
CSE enables local corporates to raise foreign currency denominated capital
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has enabled local entities incorporated or established in Sri Lanka to issue and list foreign currency denominated shares in the main market segment (Diri Savi and Main Boards) of the CSE. This new financing option for local companies is a result of the new strategic plan the CSE launched in […]
Gold reserves down by 54-pct in December; USD 3.1bn reserves include Chinese swap: CBSL
Sri Lanka’s official reserve assets were 3.1 billion US dollars (USD 3,137.6 mn) by the end of December, up from 1.6 billion US dollars in November, the latest Central Bank data showed. Accordingly, the official reserves include the swap facility signed with the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) of RMB 10 billion (equivalent to approximately […]
Opinion: Government heavy-handedness to blame for our currency woes
By Vinuja Singharachchige: Much is being said nowadays about the pressures the Sri Lankan Rupee is facing, but it is important that we understand the mechanics and greater economic context. Currency crises have been common in our modern history with countries facing sudden devaluations to the point where we can predict the patterns. There was […]