Russian stock market closes mixed amid lack of drivers

MOSCOW, Jul 25 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market closed mixed on Monday amid the lack of significant drivers and following some corporate stories and the ruble’s dynamics, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index increased by 1.54% to 2,128.96, and the RTS index fell by 0.52% to 1,155.45.

“The Russian stocks market finished the trading session showing no single dynamics as there were no significant drivers of movement, and was influenced by corporate stories and the ruble’s dynamics,” Veles Capital’s analyst Yelena Kozhukhova said.

Freedom Finance analysts said that the VK stocks were among the growth leaders, rising by 13.2% thanks to the high-technology industry being “a priority for the government at the moment.”

According to Kozhukhova, the companies of the sector mostly increased during the day, recovering from local minimums, and on hopes for the sector’s development, including “the government’s initiatives aimed at simplifying procedures to attract capital.”

The CIAN stocks grew by 10.75% on the back of favorable prospects of the real estate industry still being in place after a recent reduction of the key rate by the central bank, she also said, adding that the industry expects the cost of mortgages to decrease and the number of clients to rise.

Below are the MOEX Russia Index’ five most active stocks on Monday:

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+2.04	131.45	7.279
Gazprom	-0.13	192	4.273
Yandex	+9.61	1973	2.302
Lukoil	-0.52	3669	1.359
Norilsk Nickel	+0.43	14794	1.340

(57.3917 rubles – U.S. $1)

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