Russian Markets Close Indefinitely After Ruble Hits Record Low, Moscow Index Down More Than 45%

CNBC: Russian ruble hits record low, Moscow index down more than 30% as Putin launches invasion of Ukraine 

* Russia’s ruble and markets plunged Thursday as the country’s military invaded Ukraine. 

* Vladimir Putin declared what he called a “special military operation” early Thursday morning, just two days after sending troops into Ukraine’s eastern breakaway regions in Donetsk and Luhansk. 

Russia’s ruble and its main stock index plunged Thursday as the country’s military invaded Ukraine. 

The dollar was up more than 10% against the Russian currency as the day began, sending the ruble to its lowest level ever against the dollar. 

Moscow’s main equities index, the MOEX, fell as much as 45% after trading was temporarily suspended shortly after opening, its worst one-day drop on record. 

The ruble was trading at 89.89 to the dollar at 8:40 a.m. in Moscow, with the greenback up 10.45% against it from the previous day. The ruble pared most of its losses later in the day, trading at 83.80 to the dollar just after 3 p.m. local time.  

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WNU Editor: So much for saying the Russian stock market was to be closed indefinitely last night. They decided at the last moment to open, and I am sure they now regret their mistake.

The Kremlin says there is no need to worry .... Kremlin says Russia has enough tools to survive 'emotional' market reaction (Reuters). That they will ride this out .... ‘Impossible to shut us behind iron curtain’: Russia vows to ride out sanctions (The Independent).  

Update: The Russian markets are now closed indefinitely .... Ruble falls as Russian stock exchanges suspend trading (RT). More here .... Moscow Exchange suspends trading on all its exchanges until further notice (ZeeBusiness). 

Russian Markets Close Indefinitely After Ruble Hits Record Low, Moscow Index Down More Than 30%  

Russia's central bank bans short selling as stocks plunge -- FOX News/WSJ  

Russian stocks crash and ruble plunges to record low -- CNN  

Russia's Stock Exchange Suffers Historic Collapse After Ukraine Invasion -- Newsweek  

Moscow Stock Market, Ruble Plummet After Russia's Attack On Ukraine -- RFE  

Russian ruble hits record low, local equity indices tumble as much as 50% as Putin's forces attack Ukraine -- Insider  

Russian central bank steps in after ruble falls to record low -- RT