Sri Lanka rupee end tad firmer, central bank's surprise rate cut weigh

Reuters: - ** Sri Lanka’s rupee ended a tad firmer on Monday, ending a five session losing streak, but worries over further foreign outflows after the central bank cut key monetary policy rates weighed on sentiment. Stocks closed weaker for the fourth straight session.

** Foreign investors sold net 12.9 billion rupees worth of government securities in the week ended Aug. 21, the worst weekly outflow in eight months, and the year-to-date net foreign outflow was at 40.9 billion rupees, central bank data shows. 

** That worst outflow came before the central bank unexpectedly cut interest rates on Friday, its second easing in four months, to boost sluggish growth after tourism and investments plummeted following deadly Easter Day bomb attacks by Islamist militants. 

** The rupee ended 0.2% firmer at 179.60/70 per dollar, compared with Friday’s close of 179.80/180.30. It was the first gain in six sessions. The currency, however, is still up 1.7% this year. 

** The rupee has eased 1.8% this month as foreign investors sold government bonds tracking the foreign exit from emerging markets. 

** Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy on Friday said the central bank was ready to cope with the outflow of total $700 million foreign funds invested in Sri Lankan government securities. Exit of some funds had resulted some pressure on the local currency. 

** The central bank in its monetary policy rate statement said the depreciation pressure was expected to be short-lived. 

** Meanwhile, the main benchmark stock index fell for the fourth straight session on Monday and ended 0.28% lower at 5,881.72. The index posted a gain of 0.07% last week, after posting its first weekly declines in eight in the previous week. 

** Sri Lankan investors have been mainly in a wait-and-see mode since the main opposition party named a hardline former defence chief as its presidential candidate. 

** The market has been awaiting details of former defence chief Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s campaign as well as the identity of the ruling party’s presidential candidate, who has yet to be announced, dealers said. 

** So far this year, the stock index has dropped about 2.8%. 

** Equity market turnover was 281.2 million rupees ($1.56 million) on Monday, less than half of this year’s daily average of about 648.5 million rupees so far. Last year’s daily average was 834 million. 

($1 = 179.8000 Sri Lankan rupees) 

(Reporting by Ranga Sirilal and Shihar Aneez, Editing by William Maclean)

Sri Lanka stocks hit near 3-month high as foreign inflows surge; rupee slips

Reuters: ** Sri Lankan shares gained for the fifth straight session on Monday to hit a nearly three-month closing high, as foreign fund inflows hit a more than seven-year high due to a block deal, while the rupee ended marginally lower. 

** Foreign inflows hit their highest in more than seven years, after Singapore-registered LOLC Pvt Ltd bought shares of LOLC Finance Plc, accounting for 90% of the day’s turnover. Shares in LOLC Finance Plc, however, ended 2.63% down.

** In a disclosure to the bourse, LOLC Holdings Plc said its subsidiary registered in Singapore LOLC Pvt Ltd bought 62.26% of LOLC Fiance Plc shares held by LOLC Holdings Plc, amounting to 8.89 billion rupees to facilitate internal restructuring of the holding of LOLC Finance Plc. 

** Foreign investors bought a net 8.71 billion rupees ($49.60 million) worth of shares on Monday, reversing the year-to-date net foreign trade to net inflow of 1.43 billion rupees, index data showed.

** The benchmark stock index gained 0.31% to 5,587.36, its highest close since April 18. 

** The index rose 1% last week, its third consecutive weekly gain. So far this year, the index is down about 8%.

** The central bank left key interest rates unchanged on Thursday as expected, after cutting them in May to support the economy as tourism and investment plummeted in the wake of deadly suicide bombings in April. 

** Shares in Dialog Axiata Plc jumped 3.06% on Monday, Hemas Holdings Plc ended 4.57% firmer and LOLC Holdings Plc closed up 1.27%.

** Stock market turnover was 9.35 billion rupees ($53.25 million), its highest since March 28, 2018 and well above this year’s daily average of about 609.6 million rupees. Last year’s daily average came in at 834 million rupees. 

** Meanwhile, the currency closed a tad weaker at 175.65/75 per dollar, compared with Friday’s close of 175.45/55, as importer demand for the greenback surpassed dollar selling by banks. The rupee rose 0.37% last week, and is up 3.96% so far this year. 

** The rupee dropped 16% in 2018 and was one of the worst-performing currencies in Asia. 

** The island nation raised $2 billion via 5-year and 10-year sovereign bond sales last month, tapping global capital markets for the second time in three months. 

** Foreign investors bought a net 2.68 billion rupees worth of government securities in the week ended July 10, but the market has seen a year-to-date net foreign outflow to 19.73 billion rupees, the central bank data showed. 

($1 = 175.6000 Sri Lankan rupees) 

(Reporting by Ranga Sirilal and Shihar Aneez; Editing by Rashmi Aich)

Sri Lanka shares rise for 4th session; rupee edges lower

Reuters: ** Sri Lankan shares rose for the fourth straight session on Friday to a more than 12-week closing high, a day after the central bank kept its key policy rates steady.

** The central bank left key interest rates unchanged on Thursday as expected, after cutting them in May to support the economy as tourism and investment plummeted in the wake of deadly suicide bombings in April. 

** The benchmark stock index gained 0.16% to 5,569.94, its highest close since April 18. 

** The index rose 1% for the week, its third consecutive weekly gain, as investor sentiment was buoyed by the government’s decision to launch a $2.2 billion Japan-funded Light Railway Transit (LRT) project and some other stalled infrastructure projects, brokers said. So far this year, the index is down about 8%. 

** Shares in Dialog Axiata Plc jumped 4.21%, Ceylon Cold Stores Plc ended 4.72% firmer, Hatton National Bank Plc closed up 3.76% and Lion Brewery Plc rose 3.64%. 

** Stock market turnover was 365 million rupees ($2.08 million), below this year’s daily average of about 540.8 million rupees. Last year’s daily average came in at 834 million rupees. 

** Foreign investors sold a net 2.2 million rupees worth of shares on Friday, extending the year-to-date net foreign outflow to 7.29 billion rupees, index data showed. 

** The government’s launch of central highway and light railway projects helped lift hopes that the country’s transformation would result in a faster economic growth rate, stockbrokers said. 

** Sri Lanka is unlikely to hit its full-year economic growth target of 3-4% following Easter Sunday bombings and a Reuters poll has forecast growth to slump to its lowest in nearly two decades this year. 

** Meanwhile, the currency closed a tad weaker at 175.45/55 per dollar, compared with Thursday’s close of 175.35/45, as importer demand for the greenback surpassed dollar selling by banks. The rupee rose 0.37% for the week, and is up 4.08% so far this year. 

** The rupee dropped 16% in 2018 and was one of the worst-performing currencies in Asia. 

** The island nation raised $2 billion via 5-year and 10-year sovereign bond sales last month, tapping global capital markets for the second time in three months. 

** Foreign investors bought a net 2.68 billion rupees worth of government securities in the week ended July 10, but the market has seen a year-to-date net foreign outflow to 19.73 billion rupees, the central bank data showed. 

($1 = 175.4000 Sri Lankan rupees) 

(Reporting by Ranga Sirilal and Shihar Aneez; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)

Sri Lanka shares rise to 12-week closing high; rupee firmer

Reuters: ** Sri Lankan shares rose for the third straight session on Thursday to a 12-week closing high, as investors bought diversified and telecom stocks ahead of a key policy rates announcement later in the day.

** Sri Lanka’s central bank is expected to leave its key interest rates unchanged on Thursday, a Reuters poll showed, after cutting them in May to support the economy as tourism and investment plummeted in the wake of Easter Sunday bombings.

** The benchmark stock index hit its highest close since April 18 on Wednesday, buoyed by the government’s decision to launch a $2.2 billion Japan-funded Light Railway Transit (LRT) project and some other stalled infrastructure projects, brokers said. 

** The index ended up 0.71% at 5,561.28. It rose 2.67% last week, notching its second consecutive weekly gain. However, it is down 8.11% so far this year. 

** Shares in conglomerate John Keells Holdings Plc jumped 3.42%, LOLC Holdings Plc ended 5.92% firmer, Sri Lanka Telecom Plc closed up 6.33% and Dialog Axiata Plc rose 3.23%. 

** Stock market turnover was 523 million rupees ($2.98 million), slightly below this year’s daily average of about 542.2 million rupees. Last year’s daily average came in at 834 million rupees. 

** Foreign investors sold a net 44.8 million rupees worth of shares on Thursday, extending the year-to-date net foreign outflow to 7.29 billion rupees, index data showed. 

** The government’s launch of central highway and light railway projects helped lift hopes that the country’s transformation would result in a faster economic growth rate, stockbrokers said. 

** Sri Lanka is unlikely to hit its full-year economic growth target of 3-4% following Easter Sunday bombings and a Reuters poll has forecast growth to slump to its lowest in nearly two decades this year. 

** Meanwhile, the currency closed firmer at 175.35/45 per dollar, compared with Wednesday’s close of 175.50/60, as dollar sales by banks surpassed importer greenback demand. The rupee rose 0.17% last week, and is up 4.13% so far this year. 

** The rupee dropped 16% in 2018 and was one of the worst-performing currencies in Asia. 

** The island nation raised $2 billion via 5-year and 10-year sovereign bond sales last month, tapping global capital markets for the second time in three months. 

** Foreign investors sold a net 3.93 billion rupees worth of government securities in the week ended July 3, extending the year-to-date net foreign outflow to 22.4 billion rupees, the central bank data showed. 

** The central bank cut its key interest rates on May 31 to support a faltering economy as overall business and consumer confidence slumped following deadly bomb attacks in April. 

($1 = 175.3000 Sri Lankan rupees) 

(Reporting by Ranga Sirilal; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)

Sri Lanka shares post near 12-week closing high; rupee firmer

Reuters: ** Sri Lankan shares rose for the second straight session on Wednesday to a near 12-week closing high, as investors bought diversified stocks ahead of a key policy rates announcement later this week. 

** Sri Lanka’s central bank is expected to leave its key interest rates unchanged on Thursday, a Reuters poll showed, after cutting them in May to support the economy as tourism and investment plummeted in the wake of Easter Sunday bombings. 

** The benchmark stock index hit its highest close since April 18 on Wednesday, buoyed by the government’s decision to launch a $2.2 billion Japan-funded Light Railway Transit (LRT) project and some other stalled infrastructure projects, brokers said. 

** The index ended up 0.13% to 5,521.83. It rose 2.67% last week, notching its second consecutive weekly gain. However, it is down 8.77% so far this year. 

** Shares in Lion Brewery Plc rose 7.21%, Hemas Holdings Plc ended 8.21% firmer and conglomerate John Keells Holdings Plc ended up 0.07%. 

** Stock market turnover was 548.3 million rupees ($3.13 million), in line with this year’s daily average of about 542.3 million rupees. Last year’s daily average came in at 834 million rupees. 

** Foreign investors sold a net 267.6 million rupees worth of shares on Wednesday, extending the year-to-date net foreign outflow to 7.24 billion rupees, the index data showed. 

** The government’s launch of central highway and light railway projects helped lift hopes that the country’s transformation would result in a faster economic growth rate, stockbrokers said. 

** Sri Lanka is unlikely to hit its full-year economic growth target of 3-4% following Easter Sunday bombings and a Reuters poll has forecast growth to slump to its lowest in nearly two decades this year. 

** Meanwhile, the currency closed firmer at 175.50/60 per dollar, compared with Tuesday’s close of 175.70/80, as dollar sales by banks surpassed importer greenback demand. The rupee rose 0.17% last week, and is up 4.04% so far this year. 

** The rupee dropped 16% in 2018 and was one of the worst-performing currencies in Asia. 

** The island nation raised $2 billion via 5-year and 10-year sovereign bond sales last month, tapping global capital markets for the second time in three months. 

** Foreign investors sold a net 3.93 billion rupees worth of government securities in the week ended July 3, extending the year-to-date net foreign outflow to 22.4 billion rupees, the central bank data showed. 

** The central bank cut its key interest rates on May 31 to support a faltering economy as overall business and consumer confidence slumped following deadly bomb attacks in April. 

($1 = 175.3000 Sri Lankan rupees) 

(Reporting by Ranga Sirilal and Shihar Aneez; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)

Sri Lanka shares hover near 11-week closing high; rupee firmer

Reuters: ** Sri Lankan shares closed slightly firmer on Tuesday, hovering near an 11-week closing high hit last week, as investors bought banking stocks ahead of a key policy rates announcement later this week. 

** Sri Lanka’s central bank is expected to leave its key interest rates unchanged on Thursday, a Reuters poll showed, after cutting them in May to support the economy as tourism and investment plummeted in the wake of Easter Sunday bombings.

** The benchmark stock index hit its highest close since April 18 on Friday, buoyed by the government’s decision to launch a $2.2 billion Japan-funded Light Railway Transit (LRT) project and some other stalled infrastructure projects, brokers said.

** The index ended up 0.18% at 5,514.40 on Tuesday. It rose 2.67% last week, notching its second consecutive weekly gain. However, it is down 8.9% so far this year. 

** Shares in Melstacorp Ltd rose 6.4%, while DFCC Bank Plc ended 9.52% firmer. 

** Stock market turnover was 550.1 million rupees ($3.13 million), in line with this year’s daily average of about 542.2 million rupees. Last year’s daily average came in at 834 million rupees. 

** Foreign investors sold a net 63.8 million rupees worth of shares on Tuesday, extending the year-to-date net foreign outflow to 6.97 billion rupees, the index data showed.

** The government’s launch of central highway and light railway projects helped lift hopes that the country’s transformation would result in a faster economic growth rate, stockbrokers said.

** Sri Lanka is unlikely to hit its full-year economic growth target of 3-4% following Easter Sunday bombings and a Reuters poll has forecast growth to slump to its lowest in nearly two decades this year.

** Meanwhile, the currency closed firmer at 175.70/80 per dollar, compared with Monday’s close of 176.05/15, as dollar sales by banks surpassed importer greenback demand. The rupee rose 0.17% last week, and is up 3.93% so far this year.

** The rupee dropped 16% in 2018 and was one of the worst-performing currencies in Asia.

** The island nation raised $2 billion via 5-year and 10-year sovereign bond sales last month, tapping global capital markets for the second time in three months.

** Foreign investors sold a net 3.93 billion rupees worth of government securities in the week ended July 3, extending the year-to-date net foreign outflow to 22.4 billion rupees, the central bank data showed.

** The central bank cut its key interest rates on May 31 to support a faltering economy as overall business and consumer confidence slumped following deadly bomb attacks in April.

($1 = 175.6000 Sri Lankan rupees) 

(Reporting by Ranga Sirilal and Shihar Aneez; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)

Sri Lanka shares slip from 11-week closing high; rupee edges higher

Reuters: ** Sri Lankan shares inched lower on Monday, retreating after six straight sessions of gains to a near 11-week closing high, as investors sold diversified stocks such as John Keells Holdings Plc. 

** The bourse hit its highest close since April 18 on Friday, buoyed by the government’s decision to launch a $2.2 billion Japan-funded Light Railway Transit (LRT) project and some other stalled infrastructure projects, brokers said. 

** The benchmark stock index ended 0.2% down at 5,504.60. 

** The index rose 2.67% last week, notching its second consecutive weekly gain. However, the bourse is down 8.87% so far this year. 

** Shares in conglomerate John Keells Holdings fell 1.8%, while Ceylon Tobacco Company Plc ended 1.5% weaker and Commercial bank of Ceylon Plc, the country’s biggest listed lender, lost 1.8%. 

** Stock market turnover was 136.3 million rupees ($773,992), well below this year’s daily average of about 542.2 million rupees. Last year’s daily average came in at 834 million rupees. 

** Foreigners bought on a net basis for the second time in 13 sessions, purchasing a net 15.1 million rupees worth of shares, but the bourse has seen net foreign outflows of 6.91 billion rupees so far this year, the index data showed. 

** The government’s launch of central highway and light railway projects helped lift hopes that the country’s transformation would result in a faster economic growth rate, stockbrokers said. 

** Sri Lanka is unlikely to hit its full-year economic growth target of 3-4% following Easter Sunday bombings and a Reuters poll has forecast growth to slump to its lowest in nearly two decades this year. 

** Meanwhile, the currency closed slightly firmer at 176.05/15 per dollar, compared with Friday’s close of 176.10/15, as exporter dollar sales surpassed importer greenback demand. The rupee rose 0.17% last week, and is up 3.72% so far this year. 

** The rupee dropped 16% in 2018 and was one of the worst-performing currencies in Asia. 

** The island nation raised $2 billion via 5-year and 10-year sovereign bond sales last month, tapping global capital markets for the second time in three months. 

** Foreign investors sold a net 3.93 billion rupees worth of government securities in the week ended July 3, extending the year-to-date net foreign outflow to 22.4 billion rupees, the central bank data showed. 

** The central bank cut its key interest rates on May 31 to support a faltering economy as overall business and consumer confidence slumped following deadly bomb attacks in April. 

($1 = 176.1000 Sri Lankan rupees) 

(Reporting by Ranga Sirilal and Shihar Aneez; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)