Russian stocks close higher amid mixed foreign background

MOSCOW, May 25 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market stayed in plus by the end of trading on Tuesday amid a mixed foreign background, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index grew 0.66% to 3,686.76 and the RTS increased 0.62% to 1,580.69.

“The MOEX Russia Index and the RTS remained in plus by the end of trading despite some deterioration of the foreign background,” Veles Capital analyst Yelena Kozhukhova said.

The foreign background was mixed. Trading in the U.S. started with growth of three main indices, which retreated from the day’s highs by the end of the Russian session and were losing around 0.1%. Moderately positive moods were seen on European floors.

The nearest futures for Brent and WTI oil were trading mixed within less than 0.5% by the evening after fluctuating between plus and minus during the day.

Oil major Lukoil was among growth leaders, adding 1.75% ahead of publication of financial results for January–March. Top lender Sberbank’s common and preferred shares rose by 2.1% and 1.69%, respectively.

Multi-industry holding Sistema was among outsiders, losing 2.61%. Hydropower giant RusHydro fell 2.25%. Power grid holding Rosseti lost 2.03% and Federal Grid Company of Unified Energy Systems (FGC UES) edged down 1.88%.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+2.1	307.00	10.624
Gazprom	-0.47	260.00	7.571
Norilsk Nickel	-0.96	26722.00	6.931
Lukoil	+1.75	5920.00	6.167
Polymetal	-0.82	1768.80	3.191

(73.5266 rubles – U.S. $1)

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