Cbank: Russian ruble lost 10.5% vs US dollar in December 2015

MOSCOW, Jan 20 (PRIME) -- The exchange rate of the Russian ruble against the U.S. dollar fell 10.5% in December 2015 to 73.6 rubles as of December 30, the central bank said in a review of the country’s financial market condition in the month published Wednesday.

“The euro grew by almost 3% against the U.S. dollar in December as softening of ECB’s (European Central Bank) monetary policy was less significant than expected, which was reflected in the dynamics of cross-rates of all currencies against the euro and a wider weakening of the ruble against the euro in comparison with the U.S. dollar,” the regulator said.

The ruble trend in the month was defined by the oil price dynamics, spoiled by the OPEC decision not to limit its oil production quota, and by negative external background, undermined by the U.S. lifting of its oil export ban and the possibility of Iran entering the world oil market soon.

The average daily trade turnover in the ruble–U.S. dollar pair with tomorrow settlement at the Moscow Exchange remained almost flat on the month in December at U.S. $4.47 billion compared with $4.48 billion in November, the central bank said.

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