OREANDA-NEWSThe ruble strengthened against the dollar in April by 1.9%, while the currencies of most other countries mostly fell against the US currency. This is stated in the report of the Bank of Russia "Liquidity of the banking sector and financial markets". The regulator explains the growth rate of the national currency inflow of foreign capital to the market of federal loan bonds and rising prices for Brent oil.

"The ruble exchange rate against the US dollar strengthened by 1.9% in April, while the exchange rates of most other countries mostly fell against the US currency after the publication of strong data on US economic growth. The ruble appreciation was due to a significant inflow of foreign capital to the OFZ market and the continuing rise in prices for Brent crude oil, "the report says.

According to the forecast of the Ministry of Economic Development, the average annual exchange rate of the ruble in 2019 will be 65.1 rubles per dollar. The key factors for the weakening of the Russian currency will be the weakening of fiscal and monetary policy in the second half of 2019, the continuation of Central Bank's above-standard interventions in the foreign exchange market, as well as the expected decline in prices for oil and other Russian exports, explain the Ministry of Economic Development.

Earlier it was reported that the US dollar and the euro are falling on the Moscow Exchange on Tuesday morning; ruble strengthened against the currency basket against the background of oil prices for which are near the highs for 5 months. The ruble is strengthening against the dollar and the euro at the start of trading against the background of oil prices near the highs for 5 months. The focus of the energy market players is on the escalation of the military conflict in Libya, as well as the decision of US President Donald Trump to add the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to the list of terrorist organizations.