25 Jan 2010 10:24

Dollar tops 30 rubles at open on Mon; euro also higher

MOSCOW. Jan 25 (Interfax) - The dollar climbed above 30 rubles for the first time this year at the open of trading on the MICEX currency exchange on Monday. The euro was also higher on declining oil prices and negative sentiment on capital markets.

The dollar opened trading in "tom" contracts at 30.05-30.14 rubles/$1, which is 20 kopecks above Friday's close and 35 kopecks above the Central Bank exchange rate.

The euro opened at 42.6 rubles/1 euro, 40-55 kopecks above the previous close and 55 kopecks above the official exchange rate.

The bicurrency basket ($0.55 and 0.45 euro) rose to 35.7-35.75 rubles, which is 30 kopecks above the previous close. The increase comes on top of a 25-kopeck rise on Friday.

The Interfax Center for Economic Analysis said the ruble was declining on lower oil prices.