27 May 2010 18:29

Ruble continues rally Thurs, stronger vs. dollar, euro on MICEX

MOSCOW. May 27 (Interfax) - The dollar and euro slid appreciably on the MICEX Thursday, and the ruble gained against the bicurrency basket amid rising oil and improving moods on capital markets, garnering additional support from comments made by Central Bank Chairman Sergei Ignatyev.

The dollar closed at 30.8175 rubles/$1 in MICEX Tomorrow deals, having lost 36.75 kopecks from the previous day's close. The euro dropped 51.25 kopecks on the day to 37.7575 rubles/EUR1. It was the first time in three days the dollar was under 31 rubles/$1, while the euro hit a seven-day low.

For a second day, the ruble posted appreciable gains against the bicurrency basket ($0.55 and EUR0.45), which lost 43 kopecks on the day to close at 33.94 rubles. The last time the basket was under 34 rubles was May 20.

The average weighted dollar exchange rate slipped 39.59 kopecks to 30.89 rubles/$1 in MICEX Today deals and 37.42 kopecks to 30.8632 rubles/$1 in Tomorrow trades. MICEX trading volume for the day was $6.564 billion, of which $1.112 billion was in Today and $5.452 billion in Tomorrow deals.

The average weighted euro rate lost 51 kopecks to 37.9737 rubles/EUR1 in Today and 48.99 kopecks to 37.9339 rubles/EUR1 in Tomorrow trades. MICEX volume was EUR352.2 million, with EUR94.9 million in Today and EUR257.3 million in Tomorrow exchanges.

The indicative overnight MosPrime Rate was again 2.88% pa, flat with Wednesday.