CBR lifts ban on short selling Russian stocks for market professionals Mar 31

MOSCOW. March 31 (Interfax) - The ban on short selling on the Russian stock market has been lifted as of Friday, March 31, the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) told Interfax.

The Moscow Exchange will hold equities trading in the main trading format from 9:50 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. Moscow time on March 31 for the first time since February, the CBR said earlier in a press release. The press release did not say that short selling of these instruments will be prohibited.

The Moscow Exchange clarified later in an announcement on the market schedule for March 31 based on the regulator's instructions that the ban on short selling is being lifted for participants in clearing on equities, but it will remain in place for brokers' clients.

The same equities will be available in main trading on Friday as on March 30.