19 Oct 2009 10:26

Ruble gains slightly against dollar on Mon

MOSCOW. Oct 19 (Interfax) - The dollar declined slightly against the ruble at the open of trading on the MICEX currency exchange on Monday amid continuing gains in oil prices. The ruble gained slightly against the Central Bank's currency basket.

The dollar opened trading in "tom" contracts at 29.4 rubles/$1, approximately 3 kopecks below the close on Friday but 7 kopecks above the Central Bank's exchange rate.

The euro opened at 43.75 rubles/1 euro, 6 kopecks below the previous close but near the official exchange rate.

The bicurrency basket ($0.55 and 0.45 euro) edged lower to 35.87 rubles, 3 kopecks below Friay's level.

The Interfax Center for Economic Analysis said the ruble was gaining on higher oil prices but that mixed sentiment on global capital markets was limiting the Russian currency's gains.