Economics
Central Bank Gets the Last Word After Putin Cameo in Ruble Drama
- Putin’s ruble comments won’t affect rate decision, survey says
- Bank of Russia seen keeping its key rate at 10.5% after cut
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President Vladimir Putin just gave his central bank another reason to stand pat.
The Bank of Russia will keep its benchmark interest rate at 10.5 percent on Friday, according to 29 of 39 economists in a Bloomberg survey, with the rest predicting a 50 basis-point cut. The president’s expression of unease about ruble strength at a time of oil volatility won’t affect its move, according to 15 of 18 analysts in another poll. The decision will be announced at 1:30 p.m. in Moscow.