Currency

From July 30 to September 2, the dollar exchange rate rose by 14 kopecks, or 0.5%. Now $1 is worth 29.23 rubles/$. The euro exchange rate rose by 44 kopecks to 35.59 rubles/euro. So funds invested in euros have risen in price by 1.3%.

Stock

The RTS index has grown by a little over 11% in a month to 587, i.e. by 60 points. Shares of almost all companies on the MICEX have grown in price.

But shares of regional energy companies are in the lead. The maximum increase in the rate was shown by Irkutskenergo shares, which became 43% more expensive. Mosenergo shares increased in price by 36.6%. And Sverdlovskenergo shares increased in price by 30%.

Only two securities brought losses. The share price of one company, MGTS, remained virtually unchanged (-0.3%), while the other, Interural, literally collapsed. The fall was 62%.

Bonds

Government ruble bonds have fallen in price by an average of 0.1–0.9%. The yield on bonds maturing in 2004–2005 now amounts to 3.0–4.6% per annum, while in 2006–2008 it was 5.0–6.4%. Bonds maturing in 2010–2018 will bring investors income at the rate of 7.6–8.1% per annum.

Liquid ruble bonds of Russian companies currently yield 11–19% per annum.

The vast majority of open mutual funds brought income to their shareholders from July 30 to September 2. Only shares of the First Topcapital fund (Topcapital Management Company) fell in price by 1.3%.

The most profitable fund was the KIT – Russian Electric Power Industry fund managed by the Creative Investment Technologies Management Company. The value of its units increased by 15.6%. The second result was achieved by the Finam Perviy fund (Finam Management Management Company), whose units became 14% more expensive. Units of the Togliatti-Invest Shares Mutual Fund (Invest Management Management Company) increased by 13.5%.

The minimum increase in shares (0.1%) was shown by the funds “Togliatti-Invest Bonds” (MC “Invest-Management”) and “Partnership” (Interfin Capital).

Deposits

In August, commercial banks continued to adjust rates on ruble and foreign currency deposits for individuals. And more often than not, they adjusted them upwards (see article on page A6).

Gold

The world price of a troy ounce of gold rose by $17 to $406.5, i.e. by 4.4%.

Russian banks have increased prices for bullion gold. In particular, Sberbank has increased the cost of gold bars by 4.5%. At Lanta Bank, bullion gold has increased in price by 4.6%. The cost of investment coins made of precious metals, which banks sell to the population, has also increased.

Sberbank raised the price of gold “chervonets” by 50 rubles to 3250 rubles/piece. And NOMOS-bank raised the price of silver “Sable” coins by 20 rubles to 250 rubles/piece.

IF IF THE PURCHASE KNEW…: Growth on all fronts