Maxim Stulov / Vedomosti
New York Times: Russian Shares and Ruble Fall as Oil Prices Continue to Tumble
MOSCOW — Russia’s main stock indexes plummeted on Monday, the first day of trading after a lengthy winter holiday here, as the drop in oil prices cast a pall over the country’s energy-dependent economy.
The retreat for Russian shares was in line with declines on other exchanges around the world in the first week of the year, when financial markets in Moscow were closed for the Eastern Orthodox Christmas holiday.
One broad index of Russian stocks, the Micex, closed 3.75 percent lower on Monday. Another index, the RTS, which prices Russian shares in dollars and therefore reflects changes in the exchange rate as well as in the stock market, fell 4.9 percent.
The ruble dropped sharply at the opening of trading to more than 76 to the dollar, from 74.75, before recovering to close at 75.8.
WNU Editor: What will divert Russian President Putin's focus on places like Syria and Ukraine is the health and shape of the Russian economy. Considering what is happening .... he is definitely going to be a very distracted man.
More News On Russia's Ruble And Stock Market Declines
Russia's ruble slumps on first day of trading after holiday -- AP
Russian Stocks Are Crashing -- Zero Hedge
Ruble Hits 13-Month Low on Falling Oil Prices -- Moscow Times
Russian assets get bruising from oil price slump -- Market Watch
Moscow markets fall after Russian Christmas break -- CNBC
Most Accurate Forecaster Sees Turnaround for Oil-Battered Ruble -- Bloomberg