- Yandex (YNDX -3.1%), Qiwi (QIWI -6.5%), VimpelCom (VIP -3.1%) and MTS (MBT -4.2%) are following the ruble lower once more. The dollar/ruble exchange rate is currently at 63.05.
- In the news today: 1) Angela Merkel has warned about a lack of progress at a 4-way summit aimed at easing Ukraine tensions. 2) Goldman has cut its 3-month dollar/ruble target to 70 and its 12-month target to 60, citing the impact of low oil prices. 3) The Russian central bank discloses it has respectively spent $76B and €5.4B to prop up the ruble against the dollar and euro. 4) The president of Russia's regional banking association warns "a wave of bankruptcies" could hit the country.