Russian stocks can decrease at opening ahead of new US sanctions

MOSCOW, Apr 16 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market will likely fall at the start of the trading session in the wake of U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley’s comments that more sanctions against Moscow will be announced on Monday, analysts said.

“Deepening of the RTS Index correction is possible today at the start of trade due to the geopolitical factor. According to the reports, the U.S., U.K. and France coalition made missile strikes on facilities participating in the Syrian chemical program,” Olma senior analyst Anton Startsev said.

“Besides, the U.S. is considering a possibility of extending the sanctions against Russian companies connected with shipments to Syria: the U.S. envoy to the U.N. said that the new sanctions will be announced on Monday.”

The U.S. stock market indices closed 0.3–0.5% lower at the April 13 session, the futures grow. The European markets closed with a small upward gaps on April 13, the Asian markets are mostly correcting downwards.

Vitaly Manzhos, a senior risk manager at investment company Nord Capital, said that discussion of Russia’s counter-sanctions against the last set of U.S. restrictions is another reason for pessimism because the retaliation can harm Russian exporters.

He said that the MOEX Russia Index is to slide by up to 1% at the opening to 2,155. The levels of 2,150 and 2,130 will be the closest support and 2,180 and 2,200 will be the closest resistance level.

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