Polina Khvoynitskaya,
Head of Investment Strategy and Analytics
An additional rate cut at this meeting will boost demand for Russian equities and bonds
Until the end of the week, we forecast trading in the range of 59.5–61.0 rubles/$. At the moment, the ruble is supported by high oil prices, a trade surplus and existing restrictions on withdrawing the currency abroad. Of the important events for the week, we single out the publication of the consumer price index in the eurozone. The current forecast is 9.3%. With the release of data above the forecast, we can expect the strengthening of the dollar and a decrease in risk appetite in the markets. On Friday, the decision of the Bank of Russia on the key rate is expected. An additional rate cut at this meeting will lead to increased demand for Russian stocks and bonds, which will benefit the ruble in the USD/RUB currency pair. Also on the agenda is the issue of agreeing on a new budget rule. The emergence of specifics on this issue may create additional demand for the currency. But for now, all factors remain in favor of a strong ruble and low volatility in the currency pair.
Vladimir Evstifeev,
head of analytical department
The ruble is likely to remain close to current levels
The domestic foreign exchange market is in a state of equilibrium: the overhang of currency supply from exporters is balanced, which is complemented by a decrease in energy supplies to the West. Meanwhile, the ruble price of a barrel of Urals stopped declining and won back some losses. The admission of non-residents from friendly countries to Russian trading floors, expected since the beginning of the week, is unlikely to significantly change the alignment of forces in the foreign exchange market. Until the introduction of the fiscal rule or the receipt of details on this topic, the ruble is likely to remain near current levels.
The main potential factor for the weakening of the ruble in the foreseeable future may be the restart of the budget rule in an updated format
Our forecast for the ruble against the dollar next week is 59-62. The overall balance of factors for the Russian currency has not fundamentally changed. At the end of the outgoing week, the general market background slightly improved, oil moved to price recovery after a local failure below $90 per barrel. The main potential factor for the weakening of the ruble in the foreseeable future may be the restart of the budget rule in an updated format, however, there are no signs of the Ministry of Finance starting to buy foreign currency. Next Friday there will be a meeting of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation on the key rate. Baseline expectations include a 50 bp rate cut to 7.5%. Fundamentally, this should work to weaken the national currency, but this effect will be moderate and not instantaneous.
Maxim Timoshenko,
Director of Financial Market Operations Department
The focus of world attention now is raising the base rate of the ECB for the first time in history by 75 basis points at once
On the side of the Russian ruble – rising oil prices. The dollar exchange rate, meanwhile, by the end of the week showed a decrease against the main world currencies. At the same time, in favor of the growth of the American and European currencies in Russia today – the activity of parallel import programs, which in the future may increase the demand for US dollars and euros. The focus of world attention now is raising the base rate of the ECB for the first time in history by 75 basis points at once as part of the return of inflation to normal levels. Euro reacted to this message by strengthening its positions. And not in favor of the ruble – the news that France plans to support the proposal of the European Commission to introduce a ceiling on the price of Russian pipeline gas. However, several European countries are still against this proposal.
Egor Zhilnikov,
chief analyst
We do not see clear drivers for the directional dynamics of the dollar-ruble pair
The dollar-ruble pair fell below the border of the upward narrow trend, approaching the mark of 60 rubles. Despite a noticeable correction in energy prices, the ruble continues to hold a strong position, fluctuating within the daily volatility. Trading activity in the foreign exchange market remains low, there are no noticeable changes in pairs. At the moment, we do not see clear drivers for the directional dynamics of the dollar-ruble pair. We expect that next week the dollar will continue to consolidate in the range of 59-61 rubles. with possible attempts to return to the upper boundary of the corridor.