28 Jun 2010 10:34

Dollar slightly lower at open of currency trade on MICEX; euro gains

MOSCOW. June 28 (Interfax) - The dollar declined 9-13 kopecks to 30.97-31 rubles/$1 at the open of trading on the MICEX currency exchange on Monday and the euro added 7.01 kopecks to 38.3151 rubles/EUR1.

The bicurrency basket ($0.55 and 0.45 euro) was down 3 kopecks to 34.28 rubles.

The Interfax Center for Economic Analysis said oil prices - and the ruble - strengthened on concerns that the appearance of tropical storm Alex in the Gulf of Mexico presages a long and busy hurricane season. The euro also gained against the greenback due to the deficit reduction agreement reached by the G20 leaders at their summit in Toronto. Finally, traders expect the U.S. to report weak consumer confidence and industrial output data later today.