... remain—from a potential deepening of economic downturns to geopolitical tensions in other regions. All of this supports demand for gold as a "safe haven" for capital. Analysts note that fundamental factors are favorable for the precious metals market: while inflation in major economies is still above target levels and monetary policy pivots are just beginning to take shape, investors are inclined to hedge against risks. Other valuable resources are showing mixed movements: for example, copper prices remain under pressure due to weakness in Chinese manufacturing,...

... mandates, as current rules combine all grades, leading to disparities. According to Sergey Tereshkin, CEO of the Open Oil Market platform, the faster price growth for AI-98 and above is tied to infrastructure damage at refineries, specifically to high-octane fuel production facilities. Sanctions on ... ... it will take a long time to address this issue. As a result, annual price growth for gasoline in 2024 is expected to exceed inflation rates, even with seasonal adjustments. Gusev disagrees, asserting that retail gasoline prices will not exceed inflation ...

... of the tax period in Russia, which may impact export revenue sales volumes and the dynamics of the ruble exchange rate. Expectations for the upcoming meeting of the U.S. Federal Reserve ( Fed ) later in the week, shaping forecasts on interest rates and inflation. Global Markets: Investor Expectations and Forecasts As the new week begins, global financial markets exhibit cautious optimism. Investors are assessing prospects and adjusting strategies in anticipation of a series of important events that could significantly ...

... points), meaning it changed little during the session, although intra-day volatility increased. The ruble, as mentioned above, weakened slightly following the announcement of the decision – lower rates diminish the attractiveness of ruble deposits and bonds for investors. Nevertheless, a dramatic drop in the exchange rate did not occur, partly because the markets had already accounted for the possibility of such a move. Participants' attention is now shifting to the Central Bank's future actions: if inflation continues to slow, the regulator may continue its easing cycle to support economic activity. Corporate reports from Russian companies reflect the challenging situation in the economy in the wake of the previous tight monetary policy. For instance,...

... about 49.3, signaling a gradual deceleration in the decline of the industrial sector. The rise in the composite PMI (to 49.8) and the services indicator suggests a revival of the business cycle, though the overall picture remains cautious. Considering inflation above 10% and the Central Bank of Russia's key rate (21%), the current PMI data corresponds to market expectations. Stable PMI readings may support the Russian stock market and interest in risky assets; however, inflationary risks prescribe caution in investment strategies. Services Sector The services sector displayed only moderate expansion in ...