Sri Lanka’s rupee was quoted at 335.65/80 to the US dollar in the spot market on Friday, stronger than the previous session’s 336.00/10, while government bond yields edged lower, dealers told EconomyNext.
The move took the currency below the 336 level it had held through recent sessions.
Bonds ease at both ends
A bond maturing on 15 October 2030 was quoted at 11.55/60 percent, tightening from 11.55/65 percent. The 1 July 2037 maturity closed at 12.75/80 percent, down from 12.75/85 percent.
Elsewhere on the curve, the 1 March 2031 bond was quoted at 11.70/75 percent, the 15 October 2034 bond at 12.22/30 percent and the 15 August 2036 bond at 12.60/75 percent.
The day’s movements were narrow, confined to the offer side on the two maturities that shifted, leaving the broad shape of the curve unchanged.
Crossings carry a quiet bourse
The Colombo Stock Exchange closed the week lower in a subdued session, with both benchmark indices slipping and activity concentrated in negotiated deals rather than broad participation.
The All Share Price Index fell 19.50 points, or 0.09 percent, to 21,129.21. The S&P SL20 lost 6.05 points, or 0.10 percent, to 5,939.98.
Turnover rose sharply to Rs. 4.34 billion on 117.10 million shares, but Rs. 2.50 billion of that — 57 percent of the total — came from crossings. The largest was in Union Motors, at Rs. 1.02 billion on 38.00 million shares.
Capital Goods was the biggest sector contributor at Rs. 1.35 billion, led by Hayleys with Rs. 1.04 billion on 4.67 million shares.
Market breadth stayed weak, with 109 decliners against 73 gainers. Hemas Holdings was the largest positive contributor to the index, adding 6.49 points, followed by Haycarb, Melstacorp, Vallibel One and Dockyard. Hatton National Bank was the heaviest drag at 7.05 points, with Central Finance, DFCC Bank, Hayleys and LOLC also weighing.
Union Motors drew the most investor interest overall, generating Rs. 1.03 billion in turnover on 38.16 million shares, though the counter closed down 0.74 percent.
The Daily Mirror’s market commentary, prepared by Almas Equities Research, said the weight of negotiated crossings suggested value-oriented investors were selectively accumulating positions despite the softness in the broader market, with retail participation muted ahead of the corporate earnings season.
Results have already begun landing: Seylan Bank reported a 16.3 percent rise in June-quarter profit to Rs. 3.21 billion.
