Spot market remains dry again
Sri Lanka's forex markets continued to trade in the spot-next market
where settlement is three days ahead, with the spot market remaining dry
for the second day running and interbank liquidity high, dealers said.
The spot market, where deals are settled two days later there were no
quotes amid fears of moral suasion but an indicative wide quote of
130.60/131.10 to the US dollar was mentioned.the spot next market the US
dollar was quoted as weak as 131.00/05 rupees and 130.96.131.00 in
afternoon trade, dealers said.
Liquidity in interbank markets was high at 34 billion rupees, which
has not been sterilized with securities sell-downs by the Central Bank.
The market was flooded with liquidity after the Central Bank cut the
reserve ratio by 200 basis points on July 01.
Monday about 13 million US dollars spot deals had been reported, most
of which could be accounted for by official sales, dealers said. Dollar
sales by the Central Bank that mop up excess liquidity (unsterilized
sales) prevent future exchange pressure and credit. On Tuesday, sales by
a state lender that usually acts for the monetary authority was seen
selling in the spot-next market, dealers said.
(LBO)
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