Romanian Leu Ends Stronger vs Euro, Dealers Suspect C-Bank Intervention

The leu ended at 3.7690/7770 per euro versus 3.8450/8490 on Thursday, one dealer told SeeNews.

"We think [the central bank] BNR was on the market," she said. Usually the central lender intervenes on the local foreign exchange market by buying lei through a commercial bank.

The trading volumes have been low in recent days and dealers suggested that uncertainty about the outcome of parliamentary elections, to be held on November 30, is making foreign investors hesitant and pushing the leu lower.

BNR set its reference exchange rate, used for statistical purposes, at 3.7794 lei per euro on Friday, compared to 3.8580 lei on Thursday. For the U.S. dollar, the reference exchange rate was set at 2.9387 lei versus Thursday's 2.9809 lei.

Interest rates on overnight leu deposits were set at an average of 13.69%/15.03% on Friday, compared to 13.71%/15.08% on Thursday.

Turnover on the interbank leu deposit market fell to 1.3 billion lei on Thursday from some 1.5 billion lei on Wednesday. The BNR will issue Friday's figures on Monday.

Following are Friday's average bid and ask quotes of commercial banks on Romania's interbank market. They were calculated at 11 a.m. (0900 GMT) by the BNR, based on data provided by 10 commercial banks (in pct):