Should investors be turning their attention to Russia?

RUSSIA

As Russia welcomes the world to the Winter Olympics this month, Annabelle Williams asks if President Putin's efforts to attract foreign investment to the country are working.

All eyes are on Russia as the country hosts the Winter Olympics in Sochi this month. But investors have been steering clear of the country’s equity markets, leaving Russia among the world’s poorest performers in recent years. The downturn in commodities has hit Russia hard, as its markets are heavily skewed towards resource production companies. Corruption and a lack of transparency in business culture have also been off-putting for foreign investors. The MICEX index posted a loss of -5.25% over five years to 27 January, compared to the 18.3% return from the S&P 500. However, some inv...