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Press, Investment Banking in Sri Lanka, First Capital, Stock Market, Research, Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan banks lead in March quarter profits

Jun 28, 2017 09:58 AM

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s banking sector remained the largest contributor to earnings of firms listed on the Colombo stock exchange in the March 2017 quarter, helped by interest rates spreads, First Capital Equities said in a research report.

Earnings were up by 7.1% in the quarter to Rs 65.5 billion from a year ago and 0.2% from the previous quarter, for 278 companies analysed by the brokerage, excluding a large one-off gain made by the LOLC group.

March quarter earnings grew 16.1% from a year ago to Rs 75.9 billion, including the one-off gain from LOLC amounting to about Rs 10.4 billion.

Earnings were dominated by healthy performance in the banks sector (+21%YoY) and diversified financial sector (+194%YoY) with higher margins and one-off gains from LOLC Group, the report said.

The interest rates spreads boosted the banking and diversified financials earnings, First Capital Equities said.

The banks sector made a profit of Rs 14.36 billion, up 21% from a year ago, and the diversified financial sector Rs 17.42 billion, up 194% from the year before, primarily led by expansion in margins and one-off gains from LOLC Group.

Big banks led by Sampath, whose earnings grew 30%, Commercial Bank of Ceylon, whose profits rose 17% and HNB with a 16% YoY growth in profit, jointly represented 70% of the sector earnings.

The Food Beverages & Tobacco Sector grew 28%YoY and Capital Goods Sector 42% YoY which was positively affected by healthy consumer spending, First Capital Equities said.

“Improved consumer demand, increased volumes and commodity price volatility led to a boost in profitability in Food, Beverage & Tobacco and Staple Food Sectors by 28% year-on-year,” First Capital Equities said.

“However, the earnings growth was partially offset by Telecommunication Sector, which fell 32% YoY, mainly owing to foreign exchange losses, and Real Estate Sector which dropped 59% YoY, mainly because of RIL reported a lower profit than the previous year when earnings were boosted by a fair value adjustment.

(COLOMBO, June 28, 2017)

TV Shows, Investment Banking in Sri Lanka, Investing in Sri Lanka, Stock Market, Treasury Bonds and Bills, Research, Sri Lanka

MARKET UPDATE ON ADA DERANA ENGLISH NEWS – 2017.06.11

InvestmentInSriLanka

First Capital’s Head of Research Dimantha Mathew with the market update – between 18.50 mins to 19.20 mins

The comments on this report are provided by the Capital Markets Research Unit of First Capital Holdings PLC an investment bank in Sri Lanka.

The company operates in the capital markets of Sri Lanka in government securities – treasury bills and bonds, stock brokering and share market investments, asset management, private wealth management,  retirement planning, personal financial planning, unit trust, margin trading, capital market research, trustee services, corporate finance advisory services including corporate debt structuring (debentures, trust certificates, commercial papers), valuations, restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings (IPOs) and project advisory. 

The First Capital Group consists of First Capital Treasuries PLC, First Capital Limited, First Capital Markets Limited, First Capital Asset Management Limited and First Capital Equities (Private) Limited covering Colombo, Negombo, Matara, Kandy and Kurunegala.

Press, Investment Banking in Sri Lanka, First Capital, Investing in Sri Lanka, Treasury Bonds and Bills, Research, Sri Lanka, Market Update, Sharemarket investment in Sri Lanka

Monetary Policy Review – Monthly Economic Watch – May 2017

Policy rates unchanged
Private sector credit growth decelerated gradually to 21.0% in February 2017 and 20.4% in March 2017. The Earlier tightening of monetary policy by central bank and resultant increase in interest rates impacted the credit growth.
Combined impact of the decline in export earning and increased expenditure on imports as a result of the drought conditions expanded Trade deficit to USD 1.7Bn till February 2017.
Gross official reserves dipped to USD 5.1Bn by end April 2017 from USD 6.0Bn by end 2016. Both the government securities market and the Colombo Stock Exchange experienced foreign inflows in recent months.

Accordingly policy rates were increased,

  • Standing Deposit Facility Rate – 7.25%
  • Standing Lending Facility Rate – 8.75%
  • Statutory Reserve Ratio (SRR) – 7.50%
Read the full report –

https://www.firstcapital.lk/storage/2015/06/Monthly-Economic-Watch-May-2017.pdf

The comments on this report are provided by the Capital Markets Research Unit of First Capital Holdings PLC an investment bank in Sri Lanka.

The company operates in the capital markets of Sri Lanka proving services to invest in Sri Lanka through fixed income securities such as investments in government securities– treasury bills and bonds, stock brokering and share market investments, asset management, private wealth management,  retirement planning, personal financial planning, unit trust, margin trading, capital market research, trustee services, corporate finance advisory services including corporate debt structuring (debentures, trust certificates, commercial papers), valuations, restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings (IPOs) and project advisory.

The First Capital Group consists of First Capital Treasuries PLC, First Capital Limited, First Capital Markets Limited, First Capital Asset Management Limited and First Capital Equities (Private) Limited covering Colombo, Negombo, Matara, Kandy and Kurunegala.

TV Shows, Investment Banking in Sri Lanka, First Capital, Investing in Sri Lanka, Stock Market, Treasury Bonds and Bills, Research, Sri Lanka

MARKET UPDATE ON ADA DERANA ENGLISH NEWS – 2017.04.27

First Capital’s Atchuthan Srirangan with the market update – between 14.33 mins to 15.20 mins

The comments on this report are provided by the Capital Markets Research Unit of First Capital Holdings PLC an investment bank in Sri Lanka.

The company operates in the capital markets of Sri Lanka in government securities – treasury bills and bonds, stock brokering and share market investments, asset management, private wealth management,  retirement planning, personal financial planning, unit trust, margin trading, capital market research, trustee services, corporate finance advisory services including corporate debt structuring (debentures, trust certificates, commercial papers), valuations, restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings (IPOs) and project advisory. 

The First Capital Group consists of First Capital Treasuries PLC, First Capital Limited, First Capital Markets Limited, First Capital Asset Management Limited and First Capital Equities (Private) Limited covering Colombo, Negombo, Matara, Kandy and Kurunegala.

Press, Investment Banking in Sri Lanka, First Capital, Stock Market, Research, Sri Lanka, Market Update

Sri Lankan Shares Post 1-yr closing High on Continued Foreign Buying

FIRST CAPITAL’S HEAD OF RESEARCH, DIMANTHA MATHEW, SPEAKS TO REUTERS

Fri May 5, 2017

May 5 Sri Lankan shares rose to a one-year closing high on Friday, led by banking and diversified stocks, on continued foreign buying.

The Colombo stock index ended 0.58 percent stronger at 6,640.57, its highest close since May 2016. It added 0.5 percent for the week, its sixth straight weekly gain.

Foreign investors net bought shares worth 82.4 million rupees ($541,215), extending their year-to-date investment in equities to 16.61 billion rupees.

They bought a net 14.1 billion rupees in the last 30 sessions, and out of these, the bourse saw net foreign buying in 29.

“The market is up with continued foreign buying and active participation of local retail and high net-worth investors, which was lacking for some time,” said Dimantha Mathew, head of research, First Capital Holdings PLC.

Analysts said the market would continue to be bullish amid mild profit-taking.

The IMF said on Wednesday its executive board is expected to consider a request from Sri Lanka to conclude the second review of a $1.5 billion loan, which could help the island nation to receive the third disbursement.

Shares of Commercial Bank of Ceylon Plc rose 0.3 percent, Dialog Axiata Plc climbed 1.7 percent, C T Holdings Plc gained 2.6 percent and Ceylinco Insurance Plc ended 2.19 percent firmer.

Conglomerate John Keells Holdings Plc rose 0.49 percent and Hatton National Bank Plc ended 0.48 percent firmer.

Turnover stood at 767.5 million rupees, less than this year’s daily average of 899 million rupees.

($1 = 152.2500 Sri Lankan rupees)

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

The comments on this report are provided by the Capital Markets Research Unit of First Capital Holdings PLC an investment bank in Sri Lanka.

The company operates in the capital markets of Sri Lanka in government securities – treasury bills and bonds, stock brokering and share market investments, asset management, private wealth management,  retirement planning, personal financial planning, unit trust, margin trading, capital market research, trustee services, corporate finance advisory services including corporate debt structuring (debentures, trust certificates, commercial papers), valuations, restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings (IPOs) and project advisory. 

The First Capital Group consists of First Capital Treasuries PLC, First Capital Limited, First Capital Markets Limited, First Capital Asset Management Limited and First Capital Equities (Private) Limited covering Colombo, Negombo, Matara, Kandy and Kurunegala.

Press, Investment Banking in Sri Lanka, First Capital, Research, Sri Lanka, Market Update, Sharemarket investment in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan shrs gain; IMF may consider loan review request

FIRST CAPITAL’S ATCHUTHAN SRIRANGAN SPEAKS TO REUTERS

Thu May 4, 2017

Sri Lankan shares ended firmer on Thursday, helped by foreign buying in blue chips, after the International Monetary Fund said it may consider the country’s request for a second loan review.

The Colombo stock index ended 0.59 percent stronger at 6,602.44, near its one-year closing high hit on Friday, boosted by foreign buying in heavyweights such as John Keells , up 2.1 percent, and Ceylon Tobacco Company, up 1.2 percent.

“With the renewed foreign interest, we can see retail investors are slowly returning to the market. Fundamentally sound stocks moved the market today,” said Atchuthan Srirangan, a senior research analyst at First Capital Holdings PLC.

“The positive IMF news also helped boost the market sentiment.”

Analysts said the market will continue to be bullish with mild profit-taking.

Turnover stood at 1.08 billion rupees ($7.09 million), more than this year’s daily average of 901 million rupees.

Foreign investors net bought shares worth 62.2 million rupees, extending their year-to-date investment in equities to 16.52 billion rupees.

They bought a net 14 billion rupees worth of equities in the last 29 sessions.

($1 = 152.2500 Sri Lankan rupees)

(Reporting by Ranga Sirilal and Shihar Aneez; Editing by Vyas Mohan)

The comments on this report are provided by the Capital Markets Research Unit of First Capital Holdings PLC an investment bank in Sri Lanka.

The company operates in the capital markets of Sri Lanka in government securities – treasury bills and bonds, stock brokering and share market investments, asset management, private wealth management,  retirement planning, personal financial planning, unit trust, margin trading, capital market research, trustee services, corporate finance advisory services including corporate debt structuring (debentures, trust certificates, commercial papers), valuations, restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings (IPOs) and project advisory.

The First Capital Group consists of First Capital Treasuries PLC, First Capital Limited, First Capital Markets Limited, First Capital Asset Management Limited and First Capital Equities (Private) Limited covering Colombo, Negombo, Matara, Kandy and Kurunegala.

Press, Investment Banking in Sri Lanka, First Capital, Stock Market, Research, Sri Lanka, Market Update

Sri Lankan Shares Fall on Profit-taking in Large Caps

FIRST CAPITAL’S HEAD OF RESEARCH, DIMANTHA MATHEW, SPEAKS TO REUTERS

Wed May 3, 2017

Sri Lankan shares fell on Wednesday, retreating further from a near 11-month closing high hit on Friday, as investors booked profits in large caps such as Ceylon Tobacco Co Plc and conglomerate John Keells Holdings Plc.

The Colombo stock index ended down 0.67 percent at 6,563.85 with Ceylon Tobacco shedding 1.7 percent and John Keells declining 0.9 percent. Meanwhile, Selinsing Plc dropped 23.5 percent with 235 shares changing hands.

“After a long time, we saw significant profit-taking in some counters,” said Dimantha Mathew, head of research, First Capital Holdings PLC. “The positive sign is that foreign interest is still there.”

Analysts said the market will continue to be bullish amid some profit-taking.

Turnover was 608.04 million rupees ($4.00 million), less than this year’s daily average of 898.8 million rupees.

Foreign investors net bought shares worth 60.1 million rupees, extending the year-to-date net foreign buying to 16.46 billion rupees worth of equities.

They bought a net 14 billion rupees worth of equities in the last 28 sessions with the bourse seeing inflows in 27 sessions.

($1 = 152.1000 Sri Lankan rupees)

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

The comments on this report are provided by the Capital Markets Research Unit of First Capital Holdings PLC an investment bank in Sri Lanka.

The company operates in the capital markets of Sri Lanka in government securities – treasury bills and bonds, stock brokering and share market investments, asset management, private wealth management,  retirement planning, personal financial planning, unit trust, margin trading, capital market research, trustee services, corporate finance advisory services including corporate debt structuring (debentures, trust certificates, commercial papers), valuations, restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings (IPOs) and project advisory. 

The First Capital Group consists of First Capital Treasuries PLC, First Capital Limited, First Capital Markets Limited, First Capital Asset Management Limited and First Capital Equities (Private) Limited covering Colombo, Negombo, Matara, Kandy and Kurunegala.

Press, Investment Banking in Sri Lanka, First Capital, Stock Market, Research, Sri Lanka, Market Update, Sharemarket investment in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan shares end flat; foreign investors turn sellers

FIRST CAPITAL’S HEAD OF RESEARCH, DIMANTHA MATHEW, SPEAKS TO REUTERS

Tue May 2, 2017

Sri Lankan shares were largely unchanged in thin trading, near an 11-month high on Tuesday, as foreign investors turned net sellers for the first time in 26 sessions while blue chips saw profit-booking after a prolonged rise.

Foreign investors net sold shares worth 29.8 million rupees on Tuesday, but remained net buyers of equities to the tune of 16.4 billion rupees so far this year.

Meanwhile, blue chip shares such as John Keells Holdings Plc , down 0.37 percent, and Commercial Bank of Ceylon justify, down 0.62 percent, witnessed profit-booking.

The Colombo stock index ended 0.03 percent weaker at 6,608.16, slipping from its highest close since May 20 hit on Friday.

“Short-term profit-taking was there today,” said Dimantha Mathew, head of research, First Capital Holdings PLC.

“The market will continue to be bullish, but will see some profit-taking. The good thing is that we are seeing local investors coming back into the market.”

Turnover stood at 471.5 million rupees ($3.10 million), nearly half of this year’s daily average of 902 million rupees. ($1 = 151.9000 Sri Lankan rupees)

(Reporting by Ranga Sirilal and Shihar Aneez; Editing by Vyas Mohan)

The comments on this report are provided by the Capital Markets Research Unit of First Capital Holdings PLC an investment bank in Sri Lanka.

The company operates in the capital markets of Sri Lanka in government securities – treasury bills and bonds, stock brokering and share market investments, asset management, private wealth management,  retirement planning, personal financial planning, unit trust, margin trading, capital market research, trustee services, corporate finance advisory services including corporate debt structuring (debentures, trust certificates, commercial papers), valuations, restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings (IPOs) and project advisory. 

The First Capital Group consists of First Capital Treasuries PLC, First Capital Limited, First Capital Markets Limited, First Capital Asset Management Limited and First Capital Equities (Private) Limited covering Colombo, Negombo, Matara, Kandy and Kurunegala.

Press, Investment Banking in Sri Lanka, First Capital, Stock Market, Research, Sri Lanka, Market Update, Sharemarket investment in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan shares end higher as foreign investors pick blue chips

FIRST CAPITAL’S HEAD OF RESEARCH, DIMANTHA MATHEW, SPEAKS TO REUTERS

Wed Apr 26, 2017

Sri Lankan shares closed higher on Wednesday after two straight sessions of losses as foreign investors actively bought into blue chips, with the net stock buys touching nearly 15 billion rupees so far in the year.

Foreign investors bought shares for a 24th straight session, buying a net 318.6 million rupees ($2.10 million) worth of stocks on Wednesday.

They have snapped up a net 12.4 billion rupees worth equities during the period and a net 14.9 billion rupees worth year-to-date.

The Colombo stock index ended 0.36 percent firmer at 6,516.26.

The index has climbed 9.1 percent in the 19 sessions through Wednesday, having risen for 16 sessions in that period.

It added 2.1 percent last week, marking its fourth week of gains.

“Foreigners are very active and buying aggressively, while local investors are cautiously waiting to buy,” said Dimantha Mathew, head of research, First Capital Equities (Pvt) Ltd.

Turnover stood at 1.44 billion rupees, higher than this year’s daily average of 882 million rupees.

Market heavyweight John Keells Holdings gained 1.1 percent, while Ceylon Tobacco Company rose 0.6 percent.

($1 = 151.9000 Sri Lankan rupees) (Reporting by Shihar Aneez; Editing by Biju Dwarakanath)

TV Shows, Investment Banking in Sri Lanka, First Capital, Investing in Sri Lanka, Stock Market, Treasury Bonds and Bills, Research, Sri Lanka, Market Update, Sharemarket investment in Sri Lanka

MARKET UPDATE ON ADA DERANA ENGLISH NEWS – 2017.03.20

 

 

 

 

FC Head of Research Dimantha Mathew with the market update – between 20.23 mins to 20.57 mins

The comments on this report are provided by the Capital Markets Research Unit of First Capital Holdings PLC an investment bank in Sri Lanka.

The company operates in the capital markets of Sri Lanka in government securities – treasury bills and bonds, stock brokering and share market investments, asset management, private wealth management,  retirement planning, personal financial planning, unit trust, margin trading, capital market research, trustee services, corporate finance advisory services including corporate debt structuring (debentures, trust certificates, commercial papers), valuations, restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings (IPOs) and project advisory. 

The First Capital Group consists of First Capital Treasuries PLC, First Capital Limited, First Capital Markets Limited, First Capital Asset Management Limited and First Capital Equities (Private) Limited covering Colombo, Negombo, Matara, Kandy and Kurunegala.