Russian stocks close flat in thin trade on Boxing Day

MOSCOW, Dec 26 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market closed with marginal changes on Thursday due to the lack of news and low activity on the Western floors on Boxing Day, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index grew 0.03% to 3,031.67, and the RTS index fell 0.60% to 1,534.85.

“Market activity is gradually subsiding. There was no trade in Europe on December 26 as well which influenced the amount of trade on the Russian market. There was no significant news as well, and the market consolidated. A strong ruble did not allow the MOEX Russia Index to continue growth,” Andrei Kochetkov, senior analyst at Otkritie Broker, said.

He also said that Norilsk Nickel’s slide ahead of closing of a dividend register also hurt the Russian market.

Veles Capital’s analyst Yelena Kozhukhova said that oil prices grew moderately with the Brent and WTI blends adding less than 0.5% and consolidated near the maximums of September at U.S. $67.29 and $61.40 respectively.

Kozhukhova said that M.Video was one of the growth leaders, rising 0.47% and continuing an upward correction.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Rosgosstrakh	+1.85	0.143	11.824
Norilsk Nickel	-3.37	19220	3.732
Sberbank	+0.08	248.24	3.221
Gazprom	+0.34	254.1	2.758
Surgutneftegas	-0.11	51.15	1.968

(61.7164 – U.S. $1)

End