Russia prepares to invest wealth fund in banks

(Reuters) - Russia has prepared legal changes that would enable the government to invest up to 20 percent of its National Wealth Fund (NWF) in subordinated debts of banks, according to a document published on a government website.

Putin says China, Russia to settle more trade in yuan

(Reuters) - Russia and China intend to increase the amount of trade settled in the yuan, President Vladimir Putin said on Monday in remarks that would be welcomed by Chinese authorities who want the currency to be used more widely around the world.

Putin says spending from Russia's sovereign fund can't be raised: Interfax

(Reuters) - Russia cannot spend more of the $83 billion parked in its National Wealth Fund (NWF), President Vladimir Putin said on Monday, after the government recently raised the cap on how much of the fund can be used for domestic investments.

Economic sanctions spare Western-tied Russian fund

WASHINGTON (AP) — Western business connections are complicating efforts to bring economic sanctions against executives and companies closely aligned with Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle.

Ukraine conflict: New EU sanctions hit top Putin aides

A former judo sparring partner of Vladimir Putin is among three of the Russian president's close aides on a new EU sanctions list.

EU Banks Seen Bowing to U.S. on Russia Bans as Fines Rise

European banks, contending with escalating U.S. fines for sanctions violations, will likely bow to fresh bans imposed by the U.S. on financing Russian companies as the risks of dealing with the nation mount.

Qatar fund commits $2 bln investment to Russia - RDIF CEO

ST PETERSBURG, Russia, May 23 (Reuters) - Qatar's sovereign wealth fund the Qatar Investment Authority is allocating $2 billion to Russia via joint investments with state-backed private equity fund the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Kirill Dmitriev, the CEO of Russia's fund said on Friday.

US, Europeans to Slap New Sanctions on Russia

SEOUL - President Obama and four European leaders agreed on a conference call Saturday to impose new sanctions on sectors of the Russian economy, the White House said.

Russian sanctions ripple through European boardrooms

(Reuters) - A deepening economic standoff between Russia and the west over the future of Ukraine has rippled through trading floors and boardrooms with exporters scrambling to protect revenues and global financial firms halting services.

Goldman Sees Russia Taming Ruble Losses After Plunge

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. predicts Russia will contain losses in the ruble as policy makers pledge to curb volatility after ratcheting up interest rates and selling billions of dollars in the currency market yesterday.

Prosperity Adds More Gazprom as Putin Pushes Improvement

Prosperity Capital Management Ltd., whose Russia fund beat 97 percent of peers in the past year, bought more shares of OAO Gazprom (OGZPY) on prospects Russia will push its gas export monopoly to be more efficient.

Rising middle class brings retail boom to Russia

MOSCOW — Shoppers who find that 250 stores aren't enough can go ice skating, watch movies or even ride a carousel, all under a single roof. While it sounds like the Mall of America, this mall is outside Moscow, not Minneapolis.

Russian Funds Flee as Anti-Putin Demonstrators Dig In

Investors are fleeing Russia as demonstrators against President Vladimir Putin dig in, exacerbating the impact of Europe’s debt crisis on the country’s markets, money managers from Frankfurt to Moscow said.

Russia's Polyus closer to placing stake-sources

MOSCOW, April 25 (Reuters) - Russia's largest gold firm Polyus Gold may be close to pulling the trigger on a share sale to investors worth hundreds of millions of dollars as part of plans for a premium London stock market listing.

Russia's Bond Market Grows Up

On its face, it seems tempting enough. A big country with a strong desire to become a world financial center that can one day rival Frankfurt is opening up its local government bond market to foreign investors.

Russia may invest wealth fund in economy - Putin

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President-elect Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that the government should consider investing money held in the larger of its two sovereign wealth funds in regional development and strategic projects.