Russian economist Alexander Butmanov gave a toast to the death of the stock market on live television, telling the shocked host that he will go back to his old job: playing Santa Claus.
Peter Liakhov, a journalist for Open Caucasus Media, tweeted a video clip of the news segment, which was broadcast on a Russian business news channel.
“A snapshot of the Russian economy: an investment expert goes live on air and says his current career trajectory is to work as ‘Santa Claus’ and then drinks to the death of the stock market. With subtitles,” Liakhov tweeted alongside the video.
WATCH:
A snapshot of the Russian economy: an investment expert goes live on air and says his current career trajectory is to work as "Santa Claus" and then drinks to the death of the stock market. With subtitles. pic.twitter.com/XiPVTSUuks
— Peter Liakhov (@peterliakhov) March 3, 2022
“With me in the studio today is Alexandre Butmanov,” the show’s host Elina Tikhonova began, introducing him as an “economist, founder of the investment group ‘Allies,’ and expert on stock market strategies.”
“Alexander, hello,” Tikhonova said, to which he replied: “Greetings. Good day. I am not saying anything.”
“Yes, we are all at a loss for words now,” the host agreed, asking: “Are stock market strategies outdated now, or do you still hope to remain in the profession?”
“Worst case scenario, I’m going to work as Santa Claus, as I did 25 years ago,” Butmanov responded nonchalantly.
“But that’s only once a year,” Tikhonova said, seemingly confused.
“Excluding jokes, let’s do this quickly,” the Russian economist said, reaching down and disappearing out of frame to return a moment later with a green glass bottle. “I send regards to Sergei Usychenko, who drank 12, 13 years ago to the death of the stock market.”
“Today, I’m drinking carbonated water,” Butmanov announced, popping the bottle open. “Dear Stock Market, you were close to us, you were interesting. Rest In Peace, dear Comrade.”
Butmanov proceeded to take a sip from the bottle, prompting the host to raise her eyebrows in stunned silence.
“I’m not going to comment on this stunt because I don’t want to believe it,” Tikhonova said.
Russia’s national stock market has been struggling in response to sanctions imposed by Western nations primarily in financial sectors against Russian banks and other financial institutions, all as a result of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
As Business Insider reported:
Russia’s biggest bank plunged as much as 95% on the London stock exchange Wednesday and other companies crashed by similar amounts as the war in Ukraine and ensuing sanctions caused investors to dump the country’s assets.
Sberbank, which has more than 135 million customers, plunged to as low as $0.01 Wednesday morning, having stood at $16.12 at the start of the year. The company’s depository receipts — certificates representing shares — are listed in London, although its main listing is in Moscow.
The lender said Wednesday that it had decided to withdraw from the non-Russian European market after facing “an exceptional outflow of funds.”
Source: The Daily Wire
