The Moscow Stock Exchange has been closed since February 25, the longest break in modern times.
When Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, the Moscow Stock Exchange plummeted by 45 percent.
When the Moscow Stock Exchange now reopens, it is with some restrictions.
The exchange will only be open between 9.50 and 14 local time (Swedish time from 7.50 to 12).
In addition, trading in only 33 different shares will be allowed.
Shares in the Russian gas monopoly Gazprom and the major Russian bank Sberbank are among those that will be possible to buy and sell.
Wants to counteract decline
The purpose of the restrictions is probably to counteract a possible stock market decline, says Arturo Arques, private economist at Swedbank and the savings banks.
- By only allowing trading in the 33 largest companies, you can influence to some extent how much the stock market falls, says Arturo Arques.
Furthermore, there will be a ban on short selling, according to the Central Bank of Russia.
Short selling means that you sell shares that you do not previously own and then buy them back cheaper.
- You can do this if you want to speculate that the prices will fall sharply, says Arturo Arques.
"Unsafe times"
Prior to the opening of the stock exchange, the Russian central bank has also introduced a ban on brokers selling shares owned by foreign investors.
If foreign players are not allowed to trade on the Moscow Stock Exchange, the number of people who can sell shares is limited, Arturo Arques explains.
Despite bans, new opening hours and limited trading, Arturo Arques believes that the Moscow Stock Exchange will fall, partly due to the tense security situation caused by the war in Ukraine.
- In uncertain times, many people want to reduce the risk and one way to do that is to reduce their shareholdings.
Hear Arturo Arques explain more in the video above.