Energy Markets
Sberbank, a Russian bank, says the rouble must weaken to US$90 per rouble for commodity exporters 'to breathe'
By Gleb?Elena Fabrichnaya and Gleb Bryanski MOSCOW, 3 June - A'strong rouble' is hurting Russian commodity exporters and reducing profits from higher oil prices. The rouble needs to drop to 90 dollars per U.S. to allow companies to breathe, said Alexander Vedyakhin, a top Sberbank executive. Sberbank has raised its forecast of commodity exports by 27% this year to $491 billion. This is based on a surge in prices caused by the war in the Middle East and the closing of the Strait of Hormuz. Sberbank also projects that the average price of Urals blend oil in 2026 will be...