Russian Ruble Hits Lowest Level Since Jan. 30 As Oil Falls

The Russian ruble on Monday fell to its weakest level against the dollar since Jan. 30 as the plunge in crude-oil prices continued. West Texas Intermediate crude, the U.S. benchmark, settled below $39 a barrel for the first time since February 2009. Brent crude, the international benchmark, settled below $43 for the first time since March 2009. Russia is the world's second-largest oil exporter, according to the CIA World Factbook, and the ruble's value vs. the dollar is greatly impacted by fluctuations in the price of the commodity. The ruble weakened to a session low of 71.64 to the dollar, but recovered slightly to 70.55 in recent trade. It traded at 69.04 late Friday in New York.