Sberbank Putin some rubles

Even in Russia, home of «managed capitalism», the idea of a head of state offering investment tips may seem a little odd. But that hasn’t stopped Vladimir Putin from talking up Sberbank’s forthcoming $12bn share issue - the country’s biggest stock offering since Rosneft’s flotation last year. Russia’s president has «no doubt» that the stock is a good buy. It certainly looks a good moment for state-controlled Sberbank to be issuing shares. Thanks to the resources boom, Russia is the fastest-growi...