RUR in the spotlight: latest news

Food Empire Holdings has announced its outlook for 2026, projecting record profits driven by robust sales in Russia and potential for dividend increases. The report was released on February 20, 2026.

Russia's economy is expected to experience years of low yet stable growth following the end of a two-year consumer and liquidity-driven boom in 2025. The country has shifted into a challenging blend of resilience and stagnation.

The Kazakhstan melamine faced laminated board (MFLB) market is a significant component of the country's construction materials and furniture industry, with projections and analyses extending to 2035.

The Russian recycled containerboard market is a vital and rapidly changing sector within the country's overall packaging and forestry products industry, with projected analysis and forecasts extending to 2035.

In 2025, remittances to the Kyrgyz Republic reached a record high of $3.5 billion, marking the largest amount in the past two decades. This figure represents 15.4% of the country's GDP.

UBS Group AG has revised its forecast for the USD/ZAR exchange rate, reflecting the South African rand's impressive resilience in the currency market.

Commerzbank's Tatha Ghose reported that Russia's central bank has reduced interest rates by 50 basis points and increased its inflation forecast. The bank has also indicated the possibility of further easing in response to declining exports.

The Russian Central Bank has reduced its key interest rate for the sixth time in a row in an effort to bolster an economy that is slowing down as a result of war expenditures and ongoing inflationary pressures.

Poland's inflation rate decreased in January, but the decline was less than anticipated, raising concerns about the likelihood of an interest rate cut next month.

The Russian heating valves market is a vital segment of the overall heating industry, with analyses and forecasts extending to 2035. This market plays a significant role in the region's infrastructure and energy efficiency initiatives.

The Russian degreasers market plays a vital role in the country's industrial and maintenance chemicals sector, marked by its inherent importance and growth potential.

The CIS industrial minerals market is a fundamental component of the region's industrial and economic structure, closely connected to its extensive natural resources.

The CIS parquet flooring market is at a crucial point, marked by the recovery of residential construction and changing consumer preferences. Analysts forecast trends and developments in this sector from 2026 to 2035, highlighting the dynamic factors influencing growth and market strategies.

The U.S. Justice Department has released 3.5 million pages of correspondence related to Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender. This extensive document trove provides insights into Epstein's connections but leaves many questions unanswered regarding his ties to Russia.

Net foreign currency sales by Russia's 29 largest exporters dropped to $4.7 billion in December, marking the lowest point in three years, according to the Central Bank. Despite this decline, the ruble remains stable.

The Russian porcelain tiles market is currently adapting to a challenging post-pandemic environment and geopolitical changes, which have led to notable adjustments in supply chains.

Russia's federal budget deficit may increase nearly three times by the end of 2026, significantly exceeding official government projections, as a result of a substantial decline in oil exports.

Russia's oil and gas revenues have reached their lowest level since 2020, with January's earnings significantly lower than those in December. In December 2025, oil and gas income amounted to 447.8 billion rubles.

Russian President Vladimir Putin reported that Russia's GDP growth fell to just 1% in 2025, a significant decline from 4.3% in the previous year. He indicated that this economic slowdown was a concern, with predictions of further challenges ahead.

In January 2026, Russia's energy revenues plummeted by 50% compared to the same month in the previous year, amounting to 393.3 billion rubles, marking the lowest figure since July.

The Kazakhstan waterproofing admixtures market is at a pivotal moment, influenced by a combination of national infrastructure goals and increasing construction activities. The market is expected to experience significant growth from 2026 to 2035 as demand for advanced waterproofing solutions rises across various sectors.

Russia's budget deficit is projected to nearly triple this year, exceeding official targets due to falling energy revenues and increased spending pressures.

The Washington Post reports that the chaotic governance style of Donald Trump has contributed to a weakened US dollar, with predictions suggesting it could decline by an additional 10 percent by 2026.

Russia is experiencing growing financial strain in its military efforts against Ukraine due to widening budget deficits and declining energy revenues.

SovEcon has raised its forecast for Russian wheat exports in the 2025-26 season to 45.7 million metric tons, citing record shipment levels and strong crop estimates as key factors.