10 February 2017 11:59 am
REUTERS: Sri Lankan shares closed slightly weaker yesterday, snapping two straight sessions of gains and hovering near a more than 10-month closing low hit earlier this week, as concerns over rising market interest rates weighed on sentiment.
The Colombo stock index ended 0.04 percent lower at 6,094.15. The index hit its lowest close since March 2016 on Monday.
“Interest rates are the real concern,” said Prashan Fernando, CEO at Acuity Stockbrokers. “If the Central Bank raises the rates, it is going to hit the market.”
The Central Bank on Tuesday kept its key rates steady for a sixth straight month, but flagged possible ‘corrective measures’ in the months ahead in a sign further tightening might be on the cards to temper inflation pressures and safeguard a fragile rupee.
Sri Lankan stocks, which have been declining since October, have been hit by political uncertainty arising from a decision of the ruling coalition parties to contest local polls separately, and on worries over a rise in market interest rates.
Yields on treasury bills rose 2-8 basis points at a weekly auction on Tuesday, hovering at more than four-year high.
Market turnover was Rs.719.3 million ($4.78 million) ($3.37 million) yesterday, more than this year’s daily average of Rs.620.2 million.
Foreign investors, who have been net sellers of Rs.703.8 million worth of shares so far this year, net bought Rs.322.2 million worth of equities.
Shares of John Keells Holdings Plc rose 0.34 percent, while Sri Lanka Telecom Plc fell 2.51 percent and Dialog Axiata Plc declined 1.85 percent.
Sri Lanka’s stock and foreign exchange markets will be closed today for a Buddhist religious holiday.