Today in Russian Business – Jan 10, 2012

Reuters considers income inequality and low standards of living in Russia, factors which have, it would seem, informed the considerable disenchantment with Putin’s regime.  The recent political disruption has prompted some investors, who recall Russia’s currency devaluations in 1992 and 1998, to sell off rubles and ruble-denominated assets, says the WSJ.  Lager giant Carlsberg is apparently hoping that the Russian market, which accounts for a third of group sales, will show signs of improvement this year after a tough 2010 marked by major tax increases on beer.  Mobile phone group Vimpelcom has apparently agreed to sell a majority stake in its Algerian unit to Algeria.