MOSCOW, March 18. /TASS/. The price of Brent crude futures contracts with delivery in May rose by 1.3% to $42.02 per barrel at today's auction of the London Stock Exchange ICE, first time since December 2015.

The ruble strengthened following the increase in oil prices. Thus, the dollar again fell below the mark of 68 rubles, and the euro - below 77 rubles.

In comparison with the closing of the trading session on Thursday the ruble appreciated against the dollar by 48 kopecks to 67.62 rubles, euro - by 88 kopecks to 76.25 rubles.

Besides the increase in oil price the ruble strengthening was backed by the decision of the Central Bank on the key rate.

On Friday, the Central Bank once again kept its key rate unchanged at 11%. The rate remains unchanged from August 2015. The regulator took this decision amid continuing high-level inflation expectations.