Secondary market bond yields increase across the curve

By Wealth Trust Securities

The secondary bond markets remained active yesterday as yields were seen increasing across the yield curve mainly on the belly end of the curve, reversing a downward trend during morning hours of trading. 

Selling interest on the 01.09.23, 01.01.24, the two 2025s (15.03.25 and 01.08.25) and the 01.06.26 maturities saw its yields increase to intraday highs of 12.22%, 12.27%, 12.30% each and 12.40% respectively against its day opening lows of 12.08%, 12.15%, 12.20% each and 12.25%. 

In addition, on the short end of the curve, the 15.09.19 and 01.03.21 maturities were seen changing hands within the range of 11.44% to 11.48% and 11.70% to 11.76% respectively as well.

In secondary market bills, February and April 2017 maturities were quoted at 9.55/65 and 9.85/95 respectively. 

Meanwhile in money markets, overnight call money and repo rates remained steady to average 8.24% and 8.07% respectively as the net liquidity shortfall increased marginally Rs. 46.41 billion yesterday. The Open Market Operations (OMO) Department of Central Bank injected an amount of Rs.32.83 billion at a weighted average of 7.98% on an overnight basi

Rupee depreciates marginally

 In Forex markets, the active one week forward contract was seen dipping marginally yesterday to Rs.146.20/35 against its previous day’s closing of Rs.146.00/20 on the back of importer demand. The total volume traded during the day of 22 July was $ 54.95 million.

Given are some forward USD/LKR rates that prevailed in the market: one month – 146.85/00; three months – 148.45/60; six months – 150.80/00.