Vladimir Evstifeev,
head of analytical department
The activation of exporters may lead to a moderate strengthening of the Russian currency
The ruble is stable, unlike the stock market, it reacts poorly to the current news background. The ruble is being supported by the start of the tax period; by the end of October, 1.9 trillion rubles will have to be paid on basic taxes. The activation of exporters in the face of declining trading volumes in the dollar and euro paired with the ruble may lead to a moderate strengthening of the Russian currency until the end of this month. The good results of the resumed OFZ auctions of the Ministry of Finance also testify to the stabilization of the situation on the financial market. Against this background, the ruble retains the potential to strengthen by 1-3% until the end of the week.
Polina Khvoynitskaya,
Head of Investment Strategy and Analytics
Amid the release of data on inflation in the EU, the dollar index rose
The Russian currency continues to trade in our forecasted range around the mark of 61.6 rubles/$. The ruble receives support from the preparation of companies to pay taxes within the tax period. Oil quotes are still at high levels, which also provides additional support to the national currency. On the other hand, we note another increase in geopolitical tensions, which may provoke the purchase of currency by speculative market participants. In this case, the rate will again test the level of 65 rubles / $. Against the background of the release of data on inflation in the EU, the dollar index rose, reflecting the growth of negative sentiment in the markets. This fact will put pressure on local currencies, but on the ruble to a lesser extent than on the rest. On the positive side, we note the success of the Ministry of Finance, which today placed OFZs with a variable coupon for 25 billion at an auction at a demand of 76.7 billion rubles. This fact testifies to the high demand among market participants for investments in ruble bonds, which also supports the ruble.
Signs of a price recovery in oil
Until the end of the week, according to our estimates, the ruble against the dollar may move within the range of 60-63. At the end of the current-beginning of next week, the national currency will continue to receive support from the tax period. Exporters have been actively selling foreign currency since the middle of the month to make tax payments in rubles. In addition, we note signs of price recovery in oil. Among the negative factors, we note the increased tension of the geopolitical background, which puts general pressure on ruble-denominated assets.
Maxim Timoshenko,
Director of Financial Market Operations Department
Add optimism to the Russian market Rosstat data on the slowdown in price growth in Russia
The Russian ruble is currently in a relatively stable position, avoiding sharp volatility. It is supported by the tax period that began on October 17, the peak of which is expected next week. The exchange rate of the European currency on the Moscow Exchange is declining, breaking its minimum on October 10. Against the background of prospects for further strengthening of the dollar, the rate of the Chinese yuan is also declining, the interest in which has been quite high lately. The Rosstat data on the slowdown in price growth in Russia adds some optimism to the Russian market. In the energy market, there is an increase in world oil prices against the backdrop of increased sanctions rhetoric, a possible shortage in the supply of raw materials and discussions about reducing oil reserves in the United States.
Evgeny Loktyukhov,
Head of Economic and Industry Analysis Department
The dollar will remain under pressure in the coming days
Today, the ruble is again gravitating towards strengthening, which looks natural given the approaching tax period, which will begin on October 25. However, only the euro and the yuan show a noticeable decline, depreciating against the dollar on the world currency market. The dollar against the ruble in the second half of the day was able to win back intraday losses and moved to consolidation at the level of 61.6 rubles. Local demand for foreign currency was revived by the results of the meeting of the Security Council and the announcement of the introduction of martial law in the annexed territories. We believe that the dollar in the coming days will remain under pressure from a stable supply of foreign currency from exporters and may go to the lower limit of our target range – 60-62 rubles.