Experts announced a possible reduction in the key rate to 19-20% in June.

The Central Bank of Russia may reduce the key rate by 1-2 percentage points at the next meeting of the Board of Directors on June 6. Experts interviewed by Izvestia told about this on May 29.

"We think that the Bank of Russia will reduce the rate to 19%. Inflation is decreasing at a faster pace, and there are clearly signs of a slowdown in the economy, and credit growth has decreased," said Hovhannes Ohanisyan, director of the Cifra Broker analytical department.

According to him, if the rate is reduced, prices in the stock and bond markets will rise, the ruble exchange rate may weaken slightly, and the economy will return to growth.

<url> analyst Gayane Zamaleeva also believes that in June, the regulator will begin a cycle of cautious rate cuts.

"The ruble remains strong, despite seasonal demand for the currency and limited exports. Support from the sale of foreign exchange earnings and budget operations smooths out fluctuations, which means that a rate cut at a moderate level is unlikely to cause currency surges," she explained.

At the same time, Dmitry Tselishchev, managing director of the Rikom-Trust investment company, notes that if the regulator goes for a more drastic rate cut — by 2 percentage points or higher, this may create distortions primarily for the banking sector: possible outflow of deposits, increased pressure on liquidity and capital.

"Most likely, the rate cut will be moderate, within 1 percentage point, which is quite enough to indicate a reversal and give a positive impetus to the economy," he stressed.

At the same time, Natalia Milchakova, a leading analyst at Freedom Finance Global, believes that the probability of a rate cut is less than keeping the "key" unchanged.

To accept from the rate: the market expects the key rate to remain at 21% in June

However, a number of players still hope for its reduction.

Earlier, on May 29, Izvestia wrote that the Central Bank, according to analysts, is likely to keep the key rate at 21%. However, in their opinion, the regulator may soften the signal, hinting at a possible decline in the future.