BBI: Russian billionaires lose $7.77 bln in January

MOSCOW, Feb 3 (PRIME) -- The combined fortune of Russia’s billionaires decreased by U.S. $7.77 billion in January, Bloomberg reported in its Bloomberg Billionaires Index (BBI) released on Monday.

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.

Vladimir Potanin, one of the core owners of metals giant Norilsk Nickel was ranked number one among the richest Russians with $29.5 billion, an increase of $1.44 billion in the month.

Vagit Alekperov, co-owner and the CEO of oil major Lukoil, was second with his wealth rising $600 million to $22.9 billion,

CEO of independent gas producer Novatek Leonid Mikhelson occupied the third position with a $22.1 billion wealth, which has shrunk by $2.46 billion since the beginning of the year.

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