The beginning of this year was characterized by a slow increase in consumer prices, stability in the forex market, and continuing monetary policy easing. However, the situation has changed dramatically as a result of the impact on the economy of two major interconnected shocks: a slowdown in the...

On 15 January 2015, the Bank of Russia Board of Directors decided to reduce the key rate by 2 pp., to 15% per annum, due to the shift in the balance of risks of accelerated consumer price growth and an economic cool-down. In January 2015, the Consumer Price Index increased by 3.9% (vs. 0.6% in...

The Bank of Russia on 11 December 2015 decided to keep the base interest rate unchanged at 11%, thus indicating that the bank will not move forward with easing monetary policy. Russia's Central Bank on 14 December resumed 12-month foreign exchange repo auctions with a view to pushing down demand...

Russia's balance of payments data for Q3 2015 show a considerable decline in her current account balance. In monetary terms, the decline in imports during Q3 was faster than that in exports (relative to Q3 2014). By comparison with Q2 2015, it even demonstrated a slight increase, notwithstanding...

Russia's current account balance went negative in Q2 2017 due to a growth in imports of goods driven by a strengthening Russian rouble, seasonal growth in imports of services and investment income payments amid stagnating exports of goods after the rising oil price trend grinded to a halt....

In 2016, the Bank of Russia implemented a conservative monetary policy aimed at mitigating inflation. Commercial banks decreased their demand for central bank refinancing as the Reserve Fund was spent, in which case the central bank had to employ a set of instruments to prevent an increase in...

In Q1 2017, the current account surplus increased significantly due to rising exports alongside a slower growth in imports. Growth of the positive current account balance was the main factor behind the ruble's strengthening. At the same time, net capital outflow from the private sector also...

On 30 April 2015, the Bank of Russia reduced the key interest rate from 14% to 12.5% per annum, noting in this connection that the inflation risks had become less pronounced, but that the risks of a more significant cooling of the economy were still there. By all indications, the RF Central Bank...

Due to a shift in the balance of risks towards a more significant cooling of the economy, at the Bank of Russia Board of Directors' meeting on 13 March 2015 it was decided that the key interest rate should be reduced by 1 p.p. – to 14% per annum. In March 2015, the Consumer Price Index's...

Due to the fact that the balance of risks has moved towards a substantial cooling down of the economy, the Bank of Russia Board of Directors decided at its regular meeting on 13 March 2015 to lower by 1 p.p. the key interest rate to 14% p.a. In February 2015, the Consumer Price Index stood at...