OFZ (bond)

OFZs (abbreviation for Russian: Облигации Федерального Займа, romanized: Obligatsyi Federal'novo Zaima, lit. 'Federal Loan Obligations') are coupon-bearing federal loan bonds issued by the Russian government. The Ministry of Finance auctions off OFZs to finance the federal budget, or less commonly, to bail out troubled banks.[1] Given their role, they form an essential part of the Russian financial system.[1]

OFZs were introduced in June 1995 to complement the GKO market as an instrument with medium and long-term standing. Inflation-linked OFZ bonds are also issued.[2] In August 1998, the Russian government defaulted on domestically issued debt, including OFZs.[3] In 2012, OFZs were connected to the pan-Europe settlement and clearing system Euroclear.[4]

The share of foreign-held OFZs increased from nearly zero in 2006 to 25% by the end of 2013.[1] As of February 2018, 33.9% of all outstanding OFZs were held by foreigners.[5] By September 2018 the number had dropped to 27%, due to the threat of further US sanctions against the Russian economy.[6]

See also

References
  1. Lu, Yinqiu; Yakovlev, Dmitry (2017). Exploring the Role of Foreign Investors in Russia's Local Currency Government Bond (OFZ) Market. International Monetary Fund. ISBN 9781475577587. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  2. "Strong demand as Russia sells inflation-linked OFZs for second time". Reuters. 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  3. Zettelmeyer, Jeromin; Sturzenegger, Federico (2005). "Haircuts: Estimating Investor Losses in Sovereign Debt Restructurings, 1998-2005" (PDF). IMF Working Papers. 05 (137): 1. doi:10.5089/9781451861563.001.
  4. "Russia joins Euroclear". Financial Times. 4 October 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  5. Абрамов, Владимир (14 March 2018). "Рубль ушел в минус к доллару после выступления Терезы Мэй и аукционов ОФЗ". reuters.com. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  6. "Russia's finance ministry missing a third of the RUB1.5 trillion it plans to borrow next year, as foreign investors flee". BNE. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
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