Reporting on stock market trends, bond yields, commodity prices, and currency exchange rates, along with analysis of how these factors impact investors and businesses.
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) witnessed a marginal gain yesterday, with both the All-Share Price Index (ASPI) and the S&P SL20 index inching up by 0.3% and 0.2% respectively. However, this positive movement was overshadowed by the year-to-date (YTD) net foreign outflow, which surpassed the Rs. 4 billion mark. Despite the foreign selling, the market
The Sri Lankan rupee (LKR) opened stronger today, trading at 307.50/90 levels compared to yesterday’s close of 307.90/95. However, it subsequently weakened slightly to reach 307.90/308.10, with official purchases playing a role in the movement. Analysts attribute the rupee’s stability to the Central Bank’s largely deflationary policy, characterized by slow private credit growth and improved
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) witnessed a significant surge yesterday, marking a positive start to the week. The benchmark All-Share Price Index (ASPI) climbed over 100 points for the first time in over three months, closing at 10,805. This positive movement was driven by investors reacting favorably to the equal value Expolanka exit offer by
During Wednesday’s auction, Sri Lanka’s Treasury bill yields experienced a notable decrease across various maturities, with all 135 billion rupees worth of bills being successfully sold, as per data from the state debt office. The 3-month yield dropped by 117 basis points to 9.79%, with 30 billion rupees worth of bills offered and 38.35 billion
Abans Plc, a prominent consumer goods retailer in Sri Lanka, has announced plans to raise up to 2 billion rupees through a debenture sale, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals. As per a filing with the Colombo Stock Exchange by their company secretaries, Abans intends to issue ten million rated, unsecured, senior, redeemable debentures, each
The Colombo Stock Exchange concluded on a positive note on Friday, as reported by data on its website. The broader All Share Index finished up by 17.65 points, or 0.17%, reaching 10,586, while the S&P SL20 Index closed at 3,048 points, marking a 0.44% increase or 13.28 points. Total turnover for the day amounted to
The Hatton National Bank (HNB) group in Sri Lanka, inclusive of its insurance unit, has reported a 3% rise in profits, reaching 4.43 billion rupees, according to interim accounts. This growth comes as a result of decreased provisions, compensating for a decline in net interest income. In the December quarter, the HNB group achieved earnings
In a bid to bolster its foreign exchange reserves, Sri Lanka’s central bank made significant purchases totalling $113 million from forex markets in December 2023, bringing the annual total to $1.895 billion, as per official data. This accumulation of reserves was facilitated by the central bank’s deflationary policies, aimed at stabilizing the country’s monetary system