The Russian currency has thrown off a slight numbness and began resolutely to win back the lost positions. On the eve of the "wooden" markedly strengthened against the dollar and the euro. In relation to the US currency, the ruble returned to the beginning of the month: the rate fell below the mark of 57 rubles. Morning trading on Thursday at the Moscow Stock Exchange opened with a moderate increase in the ruble. At the beginning of the day, the US currency lost 11 cents, the European currency lost six. Thus, the current dollar exchange rate was 56.6 rubles, the euro exchange rate - 70.57 rubles. Apparently, today the Russian currency will continue its yesterday's initiative and will be strengthened to key currencies. In favor of this, several factors. First, the February period of tax payments begins in Russia. This means that large exporters will need rubles to settle with the state. Demand for Russian currency in the domestic market will increase, and hence its price will increase. Secondly, the overseas stock market after the next storm should stabilize. This will be followed by profit taking (that is, the holders of securities will sell part of their assets), and free money can be invested in the markets of developing countries, including in rubles. For the Russian currency this is an added plus. Third, oil continues to rise in price. Earlier, April futures for Brent blend rose in price to $ 63.05 per barrel. Correspondingly, the ruble is becoming more expensive. Fourthly, the dollar again does not feel better.

It is cheaper in relation to most major world currencies. This is due to poor statistics, received the day before from the US. It turned out that in January, retail sales in the US, contrary to expectations, fell by 0.3% in monthly terms. Investors did not like this. Financial analyst Boris Belkin believes that the strengthening of the ruble will be especially noticeable in the morning trading, following which the official exchange rate of the dollar and euro is set the next day. So the Central Bank can easily raise these figures. At the moment they are 57.59 rubles for $ 1 (18 cents less than the previous level) and 71.23 for 1 euro (6 cents more).