Daily Insight-Markets up once again; 2009 year-end external debt in the spotlight

On Thursday, the hryvnia showed some slight appreciation on the Ukrainian FX market, with, according to UkrDealing, trading opening at 7.96-7.97/USD, the same rate as the previous day\'s close, and closing at a slightly higher rate, 7.955-7.97/USD, without any major fluctuation, and with the strongest point of the day at 7.9533-7.9700/USD. The NBU appreciated its official exchange rate, to 7.976/USD for Thursday, and bought dollars on the FX market at the rate of 7.9692/USD. The hryvnia depreciated marginally on the cash FX market, to 7.9645/USD for bid offers at the domestic interchange stations, and 8.0089/USD on ask offers. Ukraine\'s stock markets rose again on Thursday, with the PFTS index up by 2.72%, to end the day at 858.43 points, and the UX stock exchange up by 2.39%, to 2,187.07 points. Total turnover on the PFTS was up from the previous day, at US$32.02m (UAH255.4m), which comprised equity trading (8.82% of the total), state bonds (90.38%), and municipal bonds (0.8%). The total amount of securities traded on the UX stock exchange was also up, at US$11.52m (UAH91.9m).