Russian stocks close higher backed by growth of oil prices

MOSCOW, Dec 17 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks closed higher on Tuesday amid a mixed foreign background, with growth of oil prices and negative dynamics of the Western floors, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index grew 0.24% to 3,013.29 and the RTS rose 0.23% to 1,520.60.

“On Tuesday, the Russian stock market tried to continue the upward trend, but did not have enough strength for a full-scale growth. The foreign background was mixed. Support for purchases in our stocks was provided by the dynamics of the energy market, where the nearest futures for Brent oil came close to U.S. $66 (per barrel),” Promsvyazbank chief analyst Bogdan Zvarich said.

“The restraining factor was the dynamics of Western markets. In Europe, by the evening, the main indices were losing within 0.8%, and in the U.S. after the first hour of trading, the Dow Jones and S&P500 added only about 0.1%,” Zvarich said.

Hydropower giant RusHydro and power grid holding Rosseti were among growth leaders, adding 4.4% and 3.8%, respectively.

Metals giant Norilsk Nickel, gold producer Polyus, and power producer TGC-1 were among outsiders, losing 1.11%, 0.84%, and 1.71%, respectively.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+0.06	241.60	8.187
Gazprom	+0.51	252.06	7.975
Norilsk Nickel	-1.11	19504.00	5.687
Lukoil	+0.58	6226.00	5.452
Surgutneftegas	+0.58	48.305	3.114

(62.7686 rubles – U.S. $1)

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