"Even by the standards of emerging market currency meltdowns, the rouble's gyrations have been extreme," said the Financial Times. Less than a fortnight ago, 52 roubles were needed to buy a US dollar; by last Tuesday you needed 70-80, despite a huge 6.5% overnight interest-rate hike by the central bank to stop capital flooding out of Russia.
It bounced back on Wednesday as the Russian central bank outlined plans to help ease pressure on the banking system, although the rouble remained above the 60 mark.
What the commentators said
Higher interest rates designed to stop capital flight are simply squeezing the economy, while the jump in inflation, already at 9%, is eroding real incomes. As the currency rout intensifies, "a lethal combination of deep recession and runaway inflation" becomes more likely, said The Economist.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
A key problem is Russia's external debt of around $614bn, and it is becoming increasingly hard to borrow abroad thanks to the sanctions.
Russia could impose capital controls. But this would be "a deeply unpopular and retrograde step" for a government that worked so hard to boost confidence in the rouble in the 2000s, said the FT. Only a loosening of Western sanctions or sharply higher oil prices, said Pierre Briancon on breakingviews.com, can stem the tide now.
