Do not buy dollars
Ruble savings are rapidly depreciating. What to do in this situation, how to competently manage free money – say, an amount of 100-200 thousand rubles: is it urgent to exchange for dollars or another currency, open a bank deposit, invest in securities, buy durable goods? For the answer to this question, we turned to experts.
Anton Bykov, Senior Analyst at Esperio: “Citizens with savings in the range of 200 thousand rubles are now suitable for short-term (up to 1 year) fixed income instruments. These can be both ruble deposits with an annual rate of about 20% per annum, and OFZ deposits with a similar coupon size. But running to the shops for refrigerators and TVs is definitely not worth it: the money may be needed before the Russian stock market recovers from the current sanctions bombardment.”
Anna Bodrova, Senior Analyst, IAC Alpari: “The most reasonable thing now is to keep all available funds, not to touch them at all. Recently, the rise in prices for gadgets and electronics has amounted to 80-100%, it makes no sense to invest in equipment on such a wave, unless we are talking about a pre-planned and extremely necessary acquisition. Buying cash currency at the peak of its value is also not a good idea. Not to mention spending on jewelry, jewelry.”
Sergey Drozdov, financial analyst: “I don’t advise buying dollars and euros, because banks put up a sale rate much higher than the exchange rate. Accordingly, having bought dollars at a price above 100 rubles, it is possible in the future, when the situation around Ukraine “settles down”, to be a loser. For 120 rubles you will not sell the currency, and if you need rubles, you will have to change at a lower rate. Moreover, the amount of 100-200 thousand is not so large as to “weld” a noticeable profit on it. So you need to weigh the risks.
Perhaps the most correct approach is to make a purchase right now that you have been planning for a long time. Moreover, imported equipment will grow in price or completely disappear from sale.”
Fedor Sidorov, private investor: “I don’t advise buying foreign currency, it’s too late and it’s already unprofitable. However, if you do not have foreign exchange savings, it makes sense to gradually, but regularly invest in the dollar and the euro – in those moments when the exchange rate is declining. At the same time, one must understand that inflation will grow in the near future: retail chains and manufacturers promise to raise prices for goods by 20-30%. Due to the closure of air links with Europe and other regions of the world, the cost of delivery will also increase.
This means that we must be mentally prepared for a rise in prices for many consumer goods and foodstuffs, for interruptions in household and computer equipment, and in cars. It is better to spend free 100-200 thousand rubles on durable goods or equipment for work – a computer, smartphone, tablet.