Mechel OAO (ADR) (MTL)

Russian President Dmitri Medvedev warned CNBC viewers of "alarming figures" when talking about his economy on June 2. His alarming figures were rising unemployment and falling industrial production -- and those two figures are fairly alarming everywhere we look, not just in Russia.

In Russia, however, they've taken an especially large toll and put GDP on track for somewhere around 7.5% this year, a level not experienced since the fall of the Soviet Union twenty years ago. It fell almost 10% year-over-year in the first quarter alone. Foreign investment plunged 30% and that referenced unemployment figure is on its way to double-digits, as it is in the U.S. as well.

The near term, then, is far from rosy in Russia.

However, the Russia that emerges from this credit crisis will be in a far better position than the one that went in. The Kremlin has taken control of its currency, acquired the country's most savvy international business people, and has already used those new assets to begin managing the political connections it will need to get the most out of its natural resources in the coming energy crunch.

There's too much relief in the air, too much anticipation of recovery, and too many smart investors on to the new teamwork happening between private companies and the Kremlin.

Bought this few months ago after it came up on my value screener. Has returned 60% but still undervalued.