Moscow Exchange to remain closed on Thursday

ANKARA

The Moscow Exchange (MOEX) announced Wednesday it will continue to suspend trading operations Thursday.

The Bank of Russia determined the equity markets will be closed March 3 for the Moscow Exchange, MOEX said in a statement.

"Only negotiated buyback trades with settlement in ruble are available in the bond market," it said. "On 1-5 March, pre-market and after-hours sessions will not take place on all MOEX markets.”

Amid the Russian war on Ukraine and western sanctions against Moscow, the ruble lost more than 20% against the US dollar as of Monday.

The MOEX Index, which is denominated in rubles, posted a 16.7% decline from last Thursday through Monday -- the day when trading operations were suspended until further notice.

MOEX lost 35% in February, compared to the previous month.