10 Apr 2015 10:11

Russia's current account surplus shrinks 9% to $23.5 bln in Q1 - CBR

MOSCOW. April 10 (Interfax) - Russia's current account surplus narrowed by 9.2% to $23.5 billion in the first quarter of 2015 from $25.9 billion a year earlier, the balance of payments estimate posted on the Central Bank of Russia's (CBR) website shows.

Russia's financial account (net lending) deficit (not including reserve assets) decreased by 41% to $27.9 billion in the first quarter of 2015 from $47.2 billion a year earlier.

The CBR's baseline scenario, assuming an oil price of $50-$55 per barrel, projects a current account surplus of $64 billion in 2015, while the risk scenario, assuming an oil price of $40-$45, anticipates a surplus of $60 billion.

Russia's current account surplus in 2014 was $59.5 billion.