Russia’s currency and stock markets are mostly flat on on reports of an explosion in the St. Petersburg subway that has killed at least 10 people and 50 injured. The ruble traded at 56.38 in recent trade, up from Friday’s 56.25. The Russian MICEX that tracks the country’s stock market, was up nearly 3% to 114.73. Eyewitnesses reported an explosion at Sennaya Ploschchad station and images showed a metro door blown off and injured passengers on a platform, according to a report from the Russian news agency Tass.
The Institute for Supply Management said its manufacturing index fell slightly to 57.2% last month from 57.7% in February. That was a bit below the 57.8% forecast by economists. Numbers above 50 indicate expansion and for the second straight month, 17 of the 18 industries tracked are expanding. Most manufacturers are also adding workers or asking them to work longer, pushing up the employment index to 58.9%, highest level since the middle of 2011. But production dropped 5.3 to 57.6%.
Serving the West Side first, I am Bill Roller of BR Capital for 1360 KUIK.
