Russia's largest mobile phone operator, which took advantage of a strong rouble and low global interest rates by borrowing aggressively abroad before the recession, has said it has no plans to change its debt level in 2010. MTR claims it is comfortable with its current burden of gross debt, which stands at 1.8 times OIBDA.
"We [...]

The Russian rouble rose above 30 for the first time in 2010 this week, falling nearly one per cent against the dollar to 30.11. The development came as oil prices remained below $75 per barrel and investors turned their sights away from risky currencies.
Analysts commented that any day that's negative for oil can be equated [...]

Investors have been uncertain about the long-term fate of the oil-driven rouble, but the International Monetary Fund said today that the Russian currency is set to strengthen quickly and solidly.
At a government conference on economic modernisation, the body's representatives claimed that "real appreciation puts strong emphasis on structural reforms".
Russia's central bank has been allowing for [...]

Plans for a free float of the rouble are likely to be delayed after Russian policy-makers suggested the country's economy is not prepared for unrestricted currency trading. A research report from Citigroup Inc economists predicts that Russia's central bank will delay the free float beyond the official target of 2011.
The experts say Russia is likely [...]

In an attempt to kick-start the domestic car industry – thus boosting the economy, Russia is launching a car scrapping scheme.
The Russian Industry and Trade Minster Viktor Khristenko briefed prime minister Vladimir Putin on the scheme that will start on 8 March. He says the ministry is looking into ways to implement the scheme. He [...]

This week saw the rouble rocket to its biggest one-day gain against the dollar since March 1999 as stocks in Russia opened the trading year in Moscow with a bang. The Russian currency increased to 29.3045 per dollar, driven by positive economic news, investor enthusiasm for global markets and $80 oil.
Analysts have predicted, however, that [...]

As part of its aims to replenish some of the $200 billion in reserves spent in late 2008 and early 2009 to prop up the rouble, Russia is compiling a list of banks to help launch the country's first international bond in almost ten years.
Prompting analysts to herald one of the most high-profile emerging market [...]

As 2009 came to an end, Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin revealed plans for the country's government to move towards a floating rouble exchange rate. Chatting to reporters in Vladivostok, Putin suggested the economy is not currently ready for a free rouble float.
"We will not do anything to shake up the market," he confirmed, adding: [...]