Dollar retreats, euro edges up on MICEX
MOSCOW. Oct 19 (Interfax) - The dollar fell significantly on the Moscow Interbank Currency Exchange (MICEX) on Wednesday, as the euro edged upward on the Forex market. At the same time, the ruble strengthened in relation to the dual currency basket.
The dollar closed the day on the MICEX down 20.75 kopecks from yesterday's closing at 31.02 rubles/$1, and the euro grew 5.9 kopecks to 42.8 rubles/EUR1.
The dollar began to fall in the first minutes of trading on the MICEX on Wednesday to below the 31 ruble mark, around 30.85 rubles/$1, but from there its decline slowed. The euro generally stayed slightly higher than yesterday's mark.
The ruble strengthened on Wednesday in relation to the bi-currency basket ($0.55 and EUR0.45), which decreased by 9 kopecks, reaching 36.32 rubles. At the beginning of the week, the basket retreated to a month-low or around 36 rubles, but it corrected back upwards on Tuesday, exceeding 36.5 rubles.
The Central Bank lowered its official dollar rate 4.37 kopecks to 30.9257 rubles/$1. At the same time, it increased its official euro rate 15.33 kopecks to 42.7084 rubles/EUR1.
The dollar averaged down 10.63 kopecks to 30.9436 rubles/$1 in Today deals on the MICEX and 20.36 kopecks to 30.9639 rubles/$1 in Tom deals. Overall trading volume was $8.259 billion, including $1.672 billion Today and $6.587 billion Tom.
The euro rose 15.66 kopecks to 42.7569 rubles/EUR1 in Today deals and 12.39 kopecks to 42.8048 rubles/EUR1 in Tom deals in volume of EUR342 million, including EUR160.7 million Today and EUR181.3 million Tom.
Money-market rates edged down, with the overnight MosPrime Rate falling 10 basis points to 5.44%.