Ruble and stocks continue slide

The official rate of the Russian ruble for tomorrow settlement fell by 5 kopecks against the dollar to 31.8751 on Thursday as oil prices fell and EU members' differences over financial support to Greece worried the markets. The value of the bi-currency basket, comprising $0.55 and 0.45 euros, increased 14 kopecks to 37.05 rubles as of 10:01 a.m. Moscow time. The Financial Times said that EU authorities had different views about further financial Greek support, as the country may need more funds than previously agreed. The German parliament will discuss a possible widening of the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) to solve the economic problems of flagging EU members. The fund's financial guarantees may increase to 780 million euros from 440 million, with Germany's share in it growing from 123 million euros to 211 billion euros. World oil prices fell four percent on average over worries that the EU may not prevent a Greek default. As of Thursday morning, the price of Brent blend amounted to $104 per barrel against $106 on Wednesday. The index of the ruble-denominated MICEX stock exchange slipped 0.23 percent to 1,374.75, while the index of the dollar-denominated RTS stock exchange eased 0.84 percent to 1,355.84 as of 11:33 a.m. Moscow time on Thursday. In Europe, the FTSE100 fell 0.33 percent to 5,200.61, the DAX slipped 0.13 percent to 5,570.91, CAC40 gained 0.12 percent to 2,999.29 as of 11:30 a.m. Moscow time