Evgeny Loktyukhov,
Head of Economic and Industry Analysis Department
Inertia to strengthen the ruble will continue
The main factor in the strengthening of the ruble is still the approach of the tax period (October 25), which contributes to the activation of the supply of currencies from exporters preparing for payments. We believe that at the beginning of the week the inertia towards the strengthening of the ruble will continue, we are still waiting for the dollar to move to the lower part of the range of 60-62 rubles/$. By the end of next week, we assume a local trend reversal and a slight increase in the dollar.
Maxim Timoshenko,
Director of Financial Market Operations Department
Spotlight on the resignation of British Prime Minister Liz Truss
The dollar and euro rates show a decrease in the Moscow Exchange. The Russian ruble is slightly strengthening against the dollar against the backdrop of the tax period and the market’s expectation of a decision on the key rate of the Bank of Russia at the next meeting. The focus is on the resignation of British Prime Minister Liz Truss, and more decisive steps are expected from the ECB to curb inflation. At the same time, news that the situation on the Russian labor market remains stable, and the unemployment rate still retains its position at the same position, is in favor of the ruble. Against the Russian currency are loud statements by the head of the International Energy Agency that Russia has “lost forever” Europe as an oil and gas market. Meanwhile, against the backdrop of news about the high level of occupancy of underground gas storage facilities in the European Union, exchange prices for gas in Europe are noticeably declining, which also does not play in the direction of the ruble.
Vladimir Evstifeev,
head of analytical department
Investor sentiment has stabilized somewhat
Support for the ruble from the tax period is becoming more and more noticeable. Despite the fact that the peak in tax payments falls on the first half of the week, income tax payments, estimated at 750 billion rubles, at the end of the week can also allow the ruble to maintain a strong position until the end of the month. Judging by the debt market, investor sentiment has somewhat stabilized, which allows minimizing the impact on the ruble of the geopolitical background. Among external factors, it is worth highlighting the pressure on the entire segment of risky currencies due to the growth in the yields of underlying assets. In addition, the continued strengthening of the dollar may lead to a moderate decline in oil prices.
Polina Khvoynitskaya,
Head of Investment Strategy and Analytics
Keeping the rate at the current level increases the attractiveness of investments in Russian assets
Until the end of the week, we forecast trading in the range of 60-62 rubles/$. The Russian currency will continue to receive support from the preparation of companies for payments within the tax period. Note that data on US GDP and US GDP price index will be published on Thursday. The release of negative data is expected, which will cause demand for the dollar on world markets and, accordingly, lead to a weakening of other local currencies. Of the important events for the week, we also highlight the decision of the Bank of Russia on the key rate. The market expects the rate to remain at the current level, which increases the attractiveness of investments in Russian assets. In general, we expect the demand for ruble bonds to remain, which is also a factor supporting the national currency.
A meeting of the Bank of Russia will be held at the end of next week
Our forecast for the ruble against the dollar next week is 60-64 rubles/$. After passing through the peak of the tax period, the Russian currency is likely to start retreating in the direction of 63-64 rubles/$. At the same time, much will also depend on the state of the geopolitical background, the vector of commodity prices, the general market risk appetite and the dynamics of the ruble debt market. A meeting of the Bank of Russia will take place at the end of next week, we expect the key rate to remain at 7.5%. For the Russian currency, this will be a generally neutral decision.