MSCI ESG Research downgrades Russia to lowest rating

The news came following the country's downgrade from BBB to B on 28 February, when it warned that further downgrades were possible. A spokesperson for MSCI said that since the previous downgrade last week, "we have observed further heightening of Russia's ‘Economic Environment' and ‘Financial Governance' risks based on the widening domestic impact of international sanctions and financial isolation on Russia's economy". They explained that these include sanctions on Russian individuals, companies and central bank, the barring of SWIFT usage for Russian banks and the withdrawal of major...