Russian stocks close flat on low trade volume due to US holidays

MOSCOW, Jul 4 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market closed neutrally on Wednesday in thin volume as the U.S. stock markets were closed for Independence Day, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index grew 0.10% to 2,304.06 and the RTS Index increased 0.01% to 1,147.53.

“The Russian stock market consolidated close to 2,300 on a low trade volume due to the U.S. holiday (Independence Day),” Vladimir Lyashchyuk, chief analyst at Promsvyazbank, said.

Andrei Kochetkov, an analyst at Otkritie Broker, said that investor activity on the European markets was low as well.

Kochetkov said that Inter RAO outperformed the market, rising 1.75% after buying back a stake from Federal Grid Company of Unified Energy Systems (FGC UES) and RusHydro at a below market price.

Lyashchuk said that oil companies recovered after a downward correction of Tuesday on the back of high oil prices.

VTB rose 0.37% on improved expectations concerning the Russian market, he said.

Norilsk Nickel fell following a decrease of nickel prices, Lyashchuk said.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	-0.34	217.7	4.421
Aeroflot	-2.13	140	1.986
Norilsk Nickel	-0.71	11458	1.272
ALROSA	+2.17	105.19	1.269
Gazprom	-0.18	142.24	0.904

(63.2194 rubles – U.S. $1)

End