MOSCOW, March 20 (RIA Novosti) – US financial officials have contacted investment funds with Russian assets and advised them to inform clients about potential risk associated with the crisis in Ukraine, the Reuters news agency reported Thursday.
The commission began counseling investment companies weeks ago, advising them to clearly communicate risks with investors and warning them to have a clear plan of action in case of continued volatility in the Russian stock market, Reuters said citing informed sources.
Russian stocks lost an average of 14 percent of their value in the first half of the month, which analysts largely attributed to the political crisis in Ukraine. Stocks rebounded this week 6.6 percent following a referendum in Ukraine’s Crimea Sunday that saw voters overwhelmingly support reunification with Russia.
On Wednesday, White House spokesman Jay Carney advised against investing in Russian companies, citing potential downside risks due to economic sanctions imposed by the US and EU.
The US and EU announced asset freezes and travel bans targeting a number of Russian officials close to President Vladimir Putin on Monday, following Crimea’s referendum.
