BBI: Russian billionaires gain $36.3 bln in January–July

MOSCOW, Aug 1 (PRIME) -- The combined fortune of Russia’s billionaires increased by U.S. $36.324 billion in January–July, Bloomberg reported in its Bloomberg Billionaires Index (BBI) released on Thursday.

The index is calculated basing on capitalization and financial reports of companies owned by the businessmen, or on a capitalization to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) ratio and or a share price to earnings per share ratio. The rating comprises 500 wealthiest people of the world, including 22 Russians.

CEO of independent gas producer Novatek Leonid Mikhelson was ranked number one among the richest Russians with $25.1 billion, an increase of $5.71 billion.

Vladimir Potanin, one of the core owners of metals giant Norilsk Nickel, occupied the second position with a $22.9 billion wealth, which has grown by $3.29 billion since the beginning of the year.

Vladimir Lisin, the major beneficiary of steelmaker Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK), was third with his wealth rising by $3.27 billion to $21.1 billion.

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