While in the United States our presses are running full throttle printing money, in Russia just the opposite is happening. In a herculean effort to defend the ruble, which has fallen 35% since autumn, Russia raised its one-day repurchase rate to 10% from 9%. The central bank has already engineered six such increases last year.

Russia has spent over $200 billion in recent months supporting its currency at a level of 41 rubles against a basket of 55% dollars and 45% euros. So far this week, the ruble has held steady at these levels. In addition, the central bank has lent rubles short-term for the equivalent sum of $13 billion, thus sharply reducing the supply of rubles.

Continue reading Should you sell the Russian ruble now?

Should you sell the Russian ruble now? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.