Sri Lanka regulator to revisit bank shareholder limits

sriranga

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MUMBAI, Feb 21 (Reuters) - The Central Bank of Sri Lanka will examine the need for raising the investor shareholding limit in banks, but as of now the existing limits apply, Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Mumbai on Thursday.

A single investor or group cannot hold more than 10 percent in a bank and need to have the central bank's approval for a higher investment, the governor said.

(Reporting by Shamik Paul; Editing by Anupama Dwivedi)

(neha.dasgupta@thomsonreuters.com)

(+91-22-6180-7177)(Reuters Messaging: neha.dasgupta.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)
http://www.xe.com/news/2013/02/21/3215937.htm

sriranga · 2 Sri Lanka mulls new rule on stock float Fri Feb 22, 2013 12:26 am

sriranga

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Rajhkumar K Shaaw and Anusha Ondaatjie (Bloomberg) / 22 February 2013

MUMBAI/COLOMBO - Sri Lanka’s stock exchange plans to introduce a rule by the end of the year ensuring companies have a minimum amount of stock available for trade to lure foreign investors.
The bourse is discussing the minimum free-float requirement with regulators, investors and companies, Krishan Balendra, chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange, said in an interview in Mumbai on Wednesday. A 20 per cent level is being considered with possible exceptions for some overseas companies, Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Nalaka Godahewa said in an interview in Mumbai.

“We need more companies and more liquidity to attract foreign participation in the markets,” Balendra said.

The bourse is seeking to lure more international investors to a market valued at $17.5 billion, the smallest of 16 Asian-Pacific stock markets tracked by Bloomberg. Hong Kong, which has a $3.49 trillion stock market, requires companies to make at least 25 per cent of outstanding shares available for trading, according to the website for the city’s bourse.

“Foreigners are only able to invest in a limited number of Sri Lankan stocks as there’s not enough liquidity,” Ravi Abeysuriya, chief executive officer at Heraymila Securities, said in Colombo. “There’s need to increase liquidity.”

The benchmark Colombo All-Share Index rose 0.1 per cent at 2:41pm local time, the first gain in four days. The gauge has fallen 25 per cent in the past two years as the government devalued the rupee and raised interest rates to narrow the trade deficit and combat inflation. The index more than quadrupled over 2009 and 2010 as economic growth accelerated following the end of a civil war against Tamil separatists.

“The market has corrected but firms continue to see good earnings,” Balendra said. “As a result, valuations now are quite attractive compared to other regional markets. There is lot of growth potential and the prospect of the economy is positive.”
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/biz/inside.asp?xfile=/data/market/2013/February/market_February50.xml§ion=market

UKboy

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Hmmm I can see where this is coming from…..
Most probably government will need the majority control of the private banks. If this happens I believe CBSL will allow only Sri Lankan funds to increase their stakes in private Banks.
That’s mean mainly the funds such ETP, EPC, SLIC.

That’s a good (temporary) resolution for a cash trap any government.

bullrun

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Be vigilant. The possibility to up is there!

http://www.lbo.lk/fullstory.php?nid=451478724

UKboy

UKboy

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I'm not a big fan of Harsha but time to time he tells some eye opening stories.

Below link was published about a year ago...

http://forum.srilankaequity.com/t16129-a-warning-signal-before-you-buy-your-favourite-bank-shares-hnb-comb
If this happens private banks can dance to government's tune.

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Sri Lanka regulator to revisit bank shareholder limits

1 Sri Lanka cbank chief says will examine raising shareholding limit in banks Thu Feb 21, 2013 5:38 pm

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2 Sri Lanka mulls new  rule on stock float Fri Feb 22, 2013 12:26 am

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3 Re: Sri Lanka regulator to revisit bank shareholder limits Fri Feb 22, 2013 4:25 pm

UKboy

4 Sri Lanka regulator to revisit bank shareholder limits Mon Feb 25, 2013 11:45 pm

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5 Re: Sri Lanka regulator to revisit bank shareholder limits Tue Feb 26, 2013 12:46 am

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Sri Lanka regulator to revisit bank shareholder limits

1 Sri Lanka cbank chief says will examine raising shareholding limit in banks Thu Feb 21, 2013 5:38 pm

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2 Sri Lanka mulls new rule on stock float Fri Feb 22, 2013 12:26 am

sriranga

3 Re: Sri Lanka regulator to revisit bank shareholder limits Fri Feb 22, 2013 4:25 pm

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4 Sri Lanka regulator to revisit bank shareholder limits Mon Feb 25, 2013 11:45 pm

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5 Re: Sri Lanka regulator to revisit bank shareholder limits Tue Feb 26, 2013 12:46 am

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2 Sri Lanka mulls new  rule on stock float Fri Feb 22, 2013 12:26 am