10 Dec 2010 10:19

Dollar slightly lower against ruble at open on Friday

MOSCOW. Dec 10 (Interfax) - The dollar was slightly lower against the ruble at the open of trading on the MICEX exchange on Friday amid mixed global markets.

The dollar opened at 30.86-30.88 rubles/$1, 3-5 kopecks below the close on Thursday and 10-12 kopecks below the official exchange rate for Friday.

The euro was at 41 rubles/EUR1, roughly 4 kopecks above the previous close but 20 kopecks below the official exchange rate.

The bicurrency basket ($0.55 and 0.45 euro) was at 35.4-35.43 rubles, virtually unchanged from the previous close.

The Interfax Center for Economic Analysis said the currency basket stopped declining on Friday morning due to mixed trends on global markets and because in recent days the basket's value has been under the sway of investors making speculative plays, and they have so far held off showing their hands.