The debt segment of the National Stock Exchange witnessed hightened activity yesterday with trading volumes touching Rs 277.47 crore. This was over Rs 140 crore higher than Thursdays close of Rs 136.74.
Yesterday being a reporting Friday, most banks entered into trades which would have to be settled today or on Monday.
Considering the uncertainty regarding the call rates, most of the banks have gone in for securities that are expected to mature in the near future.
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Hence, large volumes of treasury bills, particularly those maturing in January and early February were traded. The 91-day treasury bills were traded for Rs 40 crore.
The 364-day treasury bill maturing on December 5, 1997, which was issued only yesterday, was traded for a total volume of Rs 110 crore. The yield
of this security was 10.26 per cent.
Among the longer term papers, the 13.55 government stock was traded for Rs 45 crore at 13.5 per cent at a price ranging between Rs 100.30-Rs 100.34.
The 12.5 per cent 2004 paper was traded for Rs 30 crore at 13.76 per cent. The cost of this security was Rs 94.76.
Two deals were concluded in 9 per cent tax-free bonds of HUDCO 2000 and IRFC 2000 at 13.53 per cent and 14.02 per cent respectively.