Russian companies' price expectations fall to 21 points, central bank says

Russian companies' price expectations declined to 21 points in October after three months of increases, the Bank of Russia reported on October 14. The measure remained above its level in the second quarter of 2026.

Expectations fell in most industries, with electricity, water supply and agriculture the exceptions, according to the central bank's October business survey.

Agriculture recorded the lowest expected annualised price increase, at 2.2%. Electricity and water supply had the highest readings, at 37.3% and 31.7% respectively. The central bank linked elevated expectations in those sectors to the scheduled adjustment of utility tariffs from October 1.

The 21-point measure is a seasonally adjusted balance of company responses. It captures surveyed pricing plans rather than the realised inflation rate.

The Bank of Russia plans to publish household inflation expectations on October 21.