Sri Lankan shares close lower, rupee weakens

Reuters: ** Sri Lankan shares ended weaker on Monday, falling for the second straight session, while the rupee ended weaker on dollar demand from banks. 

** The index rose for the past two sessions through Thursday, after the central bank said on Tuesday that the Monetary Board had ordered banks to reduce interest rates on all loans and advances by at least 200 basis points by Oct. 15. 

** The benchmark stock index ended 0.58% down at 5,738.24. The bourse fell 0.38% last week. So far this year, the index has dropped 5.2%. 

** Equity market turnover was 770.1 million Sri Lankan rupees ($4.23 million), more than this year’s daily average of about 661.0 million rupees. Last year’s daily average was 834.0 million rupees. 

** Foreign investors were net buyers of 232.6 million rupees worth of shares on Monday, but they have been net sellers of 2.6 billion rupees of equities so far this year, according to index data.

** Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan rupee ended weaker on dollar demand from the banks, while the International Monetary Fund (IMF) lowering the country’s growth forecast for 2019 also weighed on the currency.

** The rupee closed at 182.00/10 to the dollar weaker than Friday’s close of 181.85/182.00. The rupee fell 0.41% last week. However, the currency is up 0.33% this year. 

** The IMF cut its forecast for Sri Lanka’s 2019 economic growth to 2.7% from 3.5%, as the Easter Sunday attacks on hotels and churches earlier this year dented tourism and broader business activity.

** Foreign outflows from government securities, one of the major reasons behind the rupee’s recent weakness, may not see a respite till the end of parliament elections in 2020, some analysts said.

** The central bank does not release foreign trade numbers on a daily basis, but weekly data in the past four weeks has shown a steady outflow.

** Foreign investors sold government securities worth 439 million rupees in the week ended Sept. 25, data showed, extending the net foreign outflow so far this year to 55.3 billion rupees through Sept. 25, central bank data showed. 

($1 = 182.0000 Sri Lankan rupees) 

(Reporting by Ranga Sirilal; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)

Sri Lankan shares; rupee ends steady

Reuters: ** Sri Lankan shares ended down on Friday, snapping two straight gaining sessions to record their second weekly fall, while the rupee was little changed as inward remittances offset dollar demand from banks. 

** The index rose for the past two sessions after the central bank on Tuesday said that the Monetary Board ordered banks to reduce interest rates on all loans and advances by at least 200 basis points by Oct. 15, 2019. 

** The benchmark stock index ended 0.02% down at 5,771.69, taking its weekly fall to 0.38%. So far this year, the index has dropped 4.6%. 

** Equity market turnover was 417 million Sri Lankan rupees ($2.29 million), well below this year’s daily average of about 660.3 million rupees. Last year’s daily average was 834 million. 

** Foreign investors were net sellers of 54.5 million rupees worth of shares on Friday, extending the year to date net foreign outflow to 2.8 billion rupees of equities, according to index data.

** Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan rupee ended steady as month-end inward remittances were balanced by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) lowering the country’s growth forecast for 2019.

** The rupee closed at 181.85/182.00 to the dollar. The rupee fell 0.41% for the week. However, the currency is up 0.41% on the year. 

** The IMF cut its forecast for Sri Lanka’s 2019 economic growth to 2.7% from 3.5%, as the Easter Sunday attacks on hotels and churches earlier this year dented tourism and broader business activity.

** Foreign outflows from government securities, one of the major reasons behind the rupee’s weakness recently, may not see a respite till the end of parliament elections in 2020, some analysts said.

** The central bank does not release foreign flow numbers on a daily basis, but weekly data in the past four weeks has shown a steady outflow.

** Foreign investors sold government securities worth 545.9 million rupees in the week ended Sept. 18, data showed, extending the net foreign outflow so far this year to 54.9 billion rupees through Sept. 11, central bank data showed. 

($1 = 181.8000 Sri Lankan rupees) 

(Reporting by Ranga Sirilal, editing by Louise Heavens)

Sri Lankan shares close higher, rupee weakens

Reuters: ** Sri Lankan shares rose for a second session on Thursday as banks and diversified stocks continued their rally after the central bank asked lenders to cut interest rates, while the rupee closed weaker. 

** The country’s central bank on Tuesday said that the Monetary Board decided to order the licensed banks to reduce interest rates on all loans and advances by at least 200 basis points by Oct. 15, 2019. 

** The benchmark stock index ended 0.18% up at 5,772.76. So far this year, the stock index has dropped 4.6%. 

** Equity market turnover was 273.8 million Sri Lankan rupees ($1.51 million), well below this year’s daily average of about 661.7 million rupees so far. Last year’s daily average was 834 million. 

** Foreign investors were net buyers for the second straight session, buying a net 46.3 million rupees worth of shares on Thursday, but they have been net sellers of 2.75 billion rupees worth of equities so far this year, according to index data.

** Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan rupee weakened after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) lowered the country’s growth forecast for 2019.

** The rupee closed 0.16% weaker at 181.85/182.00 to the dollar, compared with Wednesday’s close of 181.55/70. However, the currency is up 0.41% for the year. 

** The IMF cut its forecast for Sri Lanka’s 2019 economic growth to 2.7% from 3.5%, as the Easter Sunday attacks on hotels and churches earlier this year dented tourism and broader business activity.

** Foreign outflows from government securities, one of the major reasons behind the rupee’s weakness recently, may not see a respite till the end of parliament elections in 2020, some analysts said.

** The central bank does not release foreign flow numbers on a daily basis, but weekly data in the past four weeks has shown a steady outflow.

** Foreign investors sold government securities worth 545.9 million rupees in the week ended Sept. 18, data showed, extending the net foreign outflow so far this year to 54.9 billion rupees through Sept. 11, central bank data showed. 

($1 = 181.6500 Sri Lankan rupees) 

(Reporting by Ranga Sirilal; editing by Uttaresh.V)

Sri Lankan shares retreat from 2-month lows to end higher, rupee weakens

Reuters: ** Sri Lankan shares closed higher on Wednesday as banks and diversified shares gained after the its central bank asked licensed lenders to cut interest rates. The rupee closed weaker. 

** The country’s central bank on Tuesday said that the Monetary Board decided to order the licensed banks to reduce interest rates on all loans and advances by at least 200 basis points by Oct. 15, 2019. 

** As a result, the benchmark stock index ended 0.33% up at 5,762.40. So far this year, the stock index has dropped 4.8%. 

** Equity market turnover was 220.3 million Sri Lankan rupees ($1.21 million), well below this year’s daily average of about 663.9 million rupees so far. Last year’s daily average was 834 million. 

** Foreign investors bought a net 13 million rupees worth of shares on Wednesday, but they have been net sellers of 2.79 billion rupees worth of equities so far this year, according to index data.

** Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan rupee weakened after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) lowered the country’s growth forecast for 2019.

** The rupee closed 0.28% weaker at 181.55/70 to the dollar, compared with Tuesday’s close of 181.05/25. However, the currency is up 0.58% for the year. 

** The IMF said it has cut its forecast for Sri Lanka’s 2019 economic growth to 2.7% from 3.5%, as the Easter Sunday attacks on hotels and churches earlier this year dented tourism and broader business activity.

** Foreign outflows from government securities, one of the major reasons behind the rupee’s weakness recently, may not see a respite till the end of parliament elections in 2020, some analysts said.

** The central bank does not release foreign flow numbers on a daily basis, but weekly data in the past four weeks has shown a steady outflow.

** Foreign investors sold government securities worth 545.9 million rupees in the week ended Sept. 18, data showed, extending the net foreign outflow so far this year to 54.9 billion rupees through Sept. 11, central bank data showed. 

($1 = 181.5000 Sri Lankan rupees) 

(Reporting by Ranga Sirilal; editing by Uttaresh.V)

Sri Lankan rupee firms, stocks close at over two-month low

Reuters: ** Sri Lanka’s rupee closed firmer for the first time in seven sessions on Tuesday, while equities closed at a two-month low, as investors waited for the ruling party to announce its candidate for the Nov. 16 election. 

** The market has been waiting for Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe-led United National Party (UNP) candidate and its policies, brokers and traders said. The opposition party had named a hard-line former defence chief as its presidential candidate.

** The rupee closed 0.14% firmer at 181.05/25 to the dollar, compared with Monday’s close of 181.30/70. The currency is up 0.86% for the year. 

** Foreign outflows from government securities, which continued for a fifth straight week as of Sept. 18, may not see a respite till the end of parliament elections in 2020, some analysts said.

** The central bank does not release foreign flow numbers on a daily basis, but weekly data in the past four weeks has shown an outflow.

** Foreign investors sold government securities worth 545.9 million rupees in the week ended Sept. 18, data showed, extending the net foreign outflow so far this year to 54.9 billion rupees through Sept. 11, central bank data showed. 

** The benchmark stock index ended down 0.57% at 5,743.54, their lowest close since July 23. So far this year, the stock index has dropped 5.1%. 

** Equity market turnover was 260.9 million rupees ($1.44 million), less than half of this year’s daily average of about 667.5 million rupees so far. Last year’s daily average was 834 million. 

** Foreign investors sold a net 98.5 million rupees worth of shares, extending the year-to-date outflows to 2.74 billion rupees worth of equities, according to index data. 

($1 = 181.0500 Sri Lankan rupees) 

(Reporting by Shihar Aneez; editing by Uttaresh.V)

Sri Lankan rupee, stocks end weaker; ruling party's decision awaited

Reuters: ** Sri Lanka’s rupee closed weaker for the sixth straight session on Monday, while equities closed lower ahead of a key decision by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s ruling party on its candidate for the Nov. 16 election. 

** The market has been waiting for Wickremesinghe-led United National Party (UNP) candidate and its policies, brokers and traders said. The opposition party had named a hard-line former defence chief as its presidential candidate.

** The rupee closed 0.1% weaker at 181.30/70 to the dollar, compared with Friday’s close of 181.10/20. The currency fell 0.47% last week, but is up 0.7% for the year. 

** Analysts said foreign outflows from government securities have shown a declining trend and the market is now waiting for foreign investors to reverse the selling trend.

** The central bank does not release foreign flow numbers on a daily basis, but weekly data in the past four weeks has shown an outflow.

** Foreign investors sold government securities worth 545.9 million rupees in the week ended Sept. 18 for a fifth straight week, data showed, extending the net foreign outflow so far this year to 54.9 billion rupees through Sept. 11, central bank data showed. 

** The benchmark stock index ended down 0.3% at 5,776.48. The bourse fell 0.54% last week. 

** So far this year, the stock index has dropped 4.72%. 

** Equity market turnover was 485.6 million rupees ($2.68 million), less than this year’s daily average of about 670 million rupees so far. Last year’s daily average was 834 million. 

($1 = 181.3000 Sri Lankan rupees) 

(Reporting by Shihar Aneez; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)

Sri Lankan rupee gains for third straight session; stocks steady

Reuters: ** Sri Lanka’s rupee closed a tad firmer on Wednesday with foreign outflows from government securities showing a declining trend, while stocks ended steady. 

** The rupee ended 0.03% firmer at 180.25/45 per dollar. It closed at 180.30/50 on Tuesday after gaining in the two sessions. The currency is up 1.3% this year. 

** Foreign investors sold government securities worth 500 million rupees in the week ended Sept. 4, data showed, extending the year to date net foreign outflow to 53.7 billion rupees through Sept. 4, central bank data showed. 

** The weekly outflow last week, however, was far less than the average weekly outflow of 12.85 billion rupees in the previous two weeks. 

** Meanwhile, the benchmark stock index ended 0.03% weaker at 5,820.84. 

** Investors have been in a wait-and-watch mode since the main opposition party named a hardline former defence chief as its presidential candidate. 

** So far this year, the stock index has dropped about 3.8%. 

** Equity market turnover was 427.1 million rupees ($2.37 million) on Wednesday, compared with this year’s daily average of about 648.2 million rupees so far. Last year’s daily average was 834 million. 

** Foreign investors sold a net 92.9 million rupees worth of shares on Wednesday, extending the year-to-date net foreign outflow to 1.87 billion rupees worth of equities, according to index data.

($1 = 180.2500 Sri Lankan rupees) 

(Reporting by Ranga Sirilal and Shihar Aneez; Editing by Steve Orlofsky)

Sri Lankan rupee strengthens for second day; stocks rise

Reuters: ** Sri Lanka’s rupee closed stronger for a second day on Tuesday, after foreign outflows from government securities showed a declining trend, while stocks too ended higher. 

** The rupee ended 0.1% firmer at 180.30/50 per dollar. It closed at 180.40/60 on Monday. The currency is up 1.3% this year. 

** Foreign investors sold government securities worth 500 million rupees in the week ended Sept. 4, data showed, extending the year to date net foreign outflow to 53.7 billion rupees through Sept. 4, central bank data showed. 

** The weekly outflow last week, however, was far less than the average weekly outflow of 12.85 billion rupees in the previous two weeks. 

** Meanwhile, the benchmark stock index rose 0.1% to 5,822.47. 

** Investors have been in a wait-and-watch mode since the main opposition party named a hardline former defence chief as its presidential candidate. 

** So far this year, the stock index has dropped about 3.8%. 

** Equity market turnover was 716.3 million rupees ($3.97 million) on Tuesday, more than this year’s daily average of about 649.5 million rupees so far. Last year’s daily average was 834 million. 

** Foreign investors sold a net 46.4 million rupees worth of shares on Tuesday, extending the year-to-date net foreign outflow to 1.77 billion rupees worth of equities, according to index data. 

($1 = 180.3000 Sri Lankan rupees) 

(Reporting by Ranga Sirilal and Shihar Aneez; editing by Uttaresh.V)

Sri Lankan rupee recovers from 7-month closing low; stocks rise

Reuters: ** Sri Lanka’s rupee closed higher on Monday from its lowest level in more than seven months hit in the previous session after foreign fund outflows from government securities showed a declining trend, while stocks rose for the first time in four sessions. 

** The rupee ended 0.2% firmer at 180.40/60 per dollar, edging up from its lowest since Jan. 28 that was hit on Friday. It closed at 180.80/181.00 on Friday. The currency is up 1.2% this year.

** Foreign investors sold government securities worth 500 million rupees in the week ended Sept. 4, data showed, extending the year to date net foreign outflow to 53.7 billion rupees through Sept. 4, central bank data showed. 

** Foreigners sold 25.7 billion rupees worth of government securities in the previous two weeks.

** A senior central bank official said on Thursday that outflows from the government securities have been settling following the central bank’s rate cut last month.

** The central bank lowered rates for the second time in four months on Aug. 23 to boost sluggish growth after tourism and investments plummeted following deadly Easter Day bomb attacks by Islamist militants. 

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

** Meanwhile, the benchmark stock index closed firmer on Monday, ending a three straight session losing streak. It rose 0.31% to 5,816.52, edging up from its lowest close since July 25 hit on Friday. The bourse fell 1.6% last week.

** Investors have been in a wait-and-watch mode since the main opposition party named a hardline former defence chief as its presidential candidate. 

** So far this year, the stock index has dropped about 3.9%. 

** Equity market turnover was 381.5 million rupees ($2.11 million) on Monday, around half of this year’s daily average of about 649.1 million rupees so far. Last year’s daily average was 834 million. 

** Foreign investors sold a net 1.1 million rupees worth of shares on Monday, extending the year-to-date net foreign outflow to 1.73 billion rupees worth of equities, according to index data. 

($1 = 180.4500 Sri Lankan rupees) 

(Reporting by Ranga Sirilal and Shihar Aneez; Editing by Bernard Orr)

Sri Lankan rupee ends at its lowest in over 7 months; stocks fall

Reuters: ** Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at its lowest level in over seven months as foreign fund outflows from government securities rose, while stocks extended losses for the third straight session. 

** The rupee ended weaker at 180.80/181.00 per dollar, its lowest since Jan. 28. It closed at 180.75/90 on Thursday. However, the currency is up 1% this year.

** Foreign investors sold government securities worth 25.2 billion rupees in the two weeks ended on Aug. 28, data showed, extending the net foreign outflow to 53.2 billion rupees through Aug. 28, central bank data showed.

** However, a senior central bank official said on Thursday that outflows from the government securities have been settling following the central bank’s rate cut last month.

** The central bank lowered rates for the second time in four months on Aug. 23 to boost sluggish growth after tourism and investments plummeted following deadly Easter Day bomb attacks by Islamist militants. 

** Central bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy after the policy said the 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 in some pressure on the local currency. 

** Meanwhile, the benchmark stock index fell 0.88% to 5,798.57, its lowest close since July 25. For the week, it fell 1.6%.

** Investors have been in a wait-and-watch mode since the main opposition party named a hardline former defence chief as its presidential candidate. 

** So far this year, the stock index has dropped about 4.2%. 

** Equity market turnover was 631 million rupees ($3.49 million)($2.87 million) on Friday, a little less than this year’s daily average of about 650.8 million rupees so far. Last year’s daily average was 834 million. 

** Foreign investors sold a net 80.3 million rupees worth of shares on Friday, extending the year-to-date net foreign outflow to 1.73 billion rupees worth of equities, according to index data. 

($1 = 180.8000 Sri Lankan rupees) 

(Reporting by Ranga Sirilal and Shihar Aneez; editing by Uttaresh.V)

Sri Lanka rupee extends losses as fund outflow worries weigh

Reuters: ** Sri Lanka’s rupee fell further on Thursday to close at its lowest level in more than seven months, due to continued foreign fund outflows from government securities after a surprise rate cut last month. 

** Foreign investors sold government securities worth of 25.2 billion rupees in the two weeks ended on Aug. 28, data showed, extending the year-to-date net foreign outflow to 53.2 billion rupees, central bank data showed.

** Outflows from government securities have been settling, senior deputy governor of the central bank Nandalal Weerasinghe said on Thursday.

** The central bank lowered rates for the second time in four months on Aug. 23 to boost sluggish growth after tourism and investments plummeted following deadly Easter Day bomb attacks by Islamist militants. 

** The rupee ended 0.2% weaker at 180.75/90 per dollar, its lowest since Jan. 29. It closed at 180.45/75 on Wednesday. The currency is up 1% this year. 

** The rupee eased 1.5% in August as foreign investors sold government bonds in line with exit from other emerging markets. 

** Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy after the policy rate cut on Aug. 23 said the 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 in 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 ended 0.19% weaker at 5,850.25. It fell 0.15% last week and 0.8% in August. 

** 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 3.3%. 

** Equity market turnover was 518.3 million rupees ($2.87 million) on Thursday, less than this year’s daily average of about 650.9 million rupees so far. Last year’s daily average was 834 million. 

** Foreign investors sold a net 13.9 million rupees worth of shares on Thursday, extending the year to date net foreign outflow to 1.65 billion rupees worth of equities, according to index data. 

($1 = 180.75 Sri Lankan rupees) 

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

Sri Lanka rupee weakens to over 7-month closing low as foreigners exit bonds

Reuters: ** Sri Lanka’s rupee fell to its lowest close in more than seven months on Wednesday, due to continued foreign fund outflows from government securities after a surprise rate cut last month.

** Foreign investors sold net 12.3 billion rupees worth of government securities in the week ended Aug. 28, the second-worst weekly outflow in eight months.

** They offloaded government securities worth of 25.2 billion rupees in the two weeks ended on Aug. 28, data showed, extending the year-to-date net foreign outflow to 53.2 billion rupees, central bank data showed.

** A surprise rate cut on Aug. 23 has accelerated the outflow, currency dealers say. The central bank lowered rates for the second time 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% weaker at 180.45/75 per dollar, its lowest since Jan. 29. It closed at 180.10/30 on Tuesday. The currency is up 1.2% this year.

** The rupee eased 1.5% in August as foreign investors sold government bonds in line with exit from other emerging markets.

** Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy after the policy rate cut on Aug. 23 said the 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 in 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 ended 0.37% weaker at 5,861.54. It fell 0.15% last week and 0.8% in August.

** 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 2.7%.

** Equity market turnover was 720.9 million rupees ($4.01 million) on Wednesday, more than this year’s daily average of about 651.7 million rupees so far. Last year’s daily average was 834 million.

** Foreign investors sold a net 95.3 million rupees worth of shares on Wednesday, extending the year to date net foreign outflow to 1.6 billion rupees worth of equities, according to index data.

($1 = 179.8000 Sri Lankan rupees) 

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

Sri Lanka rupee weakens amid fund outflows; stocks edge up

Reuters: **  Sri Lanka’s rupee closed weaker on Tuesday, hovering near a seven-month closing low hit last week, as continued foreign fund outflows from government securities after a surprise rate cut last month weighed on the currency. 

** Foreign investors sold net 12.3 billion rupees worth of government securities in the week ended Aug. 28, the second worst weekly outflow in eight months. They offloaded government securities worth of 25.2 billion rupees in the two weeks ended on Aug. 28, data showed, extending the year-to-date net foreign outflow to 53.2 billion rupees, central bank data showed. 

** A surprise rate cut on Aug. 23 has accelerated the outflow, currency dealers say. The central bank lowered rates for the second time in four months to boost sluggish growth after tourism and investments plummeted following deadly Easter Day bomb attacks by Islamist militants.

** The rupee ended 0.6% weaker at 180.10/30 per dollar, compared with Monday’s close of 179.75/85. The currency is up 1.4% this year.

** The rupee eased 1.5% in August as foreign investors sold government bonds in line with exit from other emerging markets.

** Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy after the policy rate cut on Aug. 23 said the 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 in 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 ended 0.09% firmer at 5,883.42. It fell 0.15% last week and 0.8% in August.

** 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 2.7%.

** Equity market turnover was 799.1 million rupees ($4.44 million) on Tuesday, more than this year’s daily average of about 651.3 million rupees so far. Last year’s daily average was 834 million.

** Foreign investors sold a net 193.4 million rupees worth of shares on Tuesday, but they have sold a net 1.5 billion rupees worth of equities so far this year, according to index data.

($1 = 179.8000 Sri Lankan rupees) 

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

Sri Lanka rupee weakens amid fund outflows; stocks down

Reuters: ** Sri Lanka’s rupee closed weaker on Monday, hovering near a seven-month closing low hit last week, as foreign fund outflows after the central bank’s rate cut weighed on the currency. 

** Foreign investors sold net 12.3 billion rupees worth of government securities in the week ended Aug. 28, the second worst weekly outflow in eight months. 

** They offloaded government securities worth of 25.2 billion rupees in the two weeks ended on Aug. 28, data showed, extending the year-to-date net foreign outflow to 53.2 billion rupees, central bank data showed. 

** A surprise rate cut on Aug. 23 has accelerated the outflow, currency dealers say. The central bank lowered rates for the second time in four months to boost sluggish growth after tourism and investments plummeted following deadly Easter Day bomb attacks by Islamist militants.

** The rupee ended 0.4% weaker at 179.75/85 per dollar, compared with Friday’s close of 179.00/20. The currency is up 1.6% this year.

** The rupee eased 1.5% in August as foreign investors sold government bonds in line with exit from other emerging markets.

** Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy after the policy rate cut on Aug. 23 said the 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 in 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 ended 0.2% weaker at 5,878.29. It fell 0.15% last week and 0.8% in August.

** 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 2.7%.

** Equity market turnover was 559.1 million rupees ($3.11 million) on Monday, less than this year’s daily average of about 650.3 million rupees so far. Last year’s daily average was 834 million.

** Foreign investors sold a net 19.1 million rupees worth of shares on Monday, but they have sold a net 1.3 billion rupees worth of equities so far this year, according to index data. 

($1 = 179.8000 Sri Lankan rupees) 

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