Russian stocks close little changed on neutral external background

MOSCOW, Jan 13 (PRIME) – The Russian stocks closed almost unchanged on Wednesday as the external background was neutral during the day, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index fell 0.04% to 3,470.26 and the RTS increased 0.12% to 1,486.77.

“Dynamics of the foreign stock floors was largely neutral during the day. The U.S. stock indices opened with a sideways movement, as investors paid little attention to preparation for an impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump, who will leave his post one way or another in a week,” Valery Yemelyanov, analyst at investment company Freedom Finance, said.

In Europe … the German and French indices gained about 0.5%, while the U.K. fell slowly. Asia also showed no common dynamics, Yemelyanov said.

Andrei Kochetkov, senior analyst for global research at Otkritie Broker, said that the MOEX Russia Index failed to stay above the 3,500 level, which strengthens the possibility of a downward correction.

The oil prices lost all their morning gains after China expanded its quarantine zone, while the Chinese media discussed social restrictions during celebrations of the Lunar New Year, Kochetkov said.

He also said that Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) were among the loss leaders due to a dividend cut-off. The security lost 6.53% to 54.035 rubles.

Veles Capital analyst Yelena Kozhukhova also said that the ordinary and preferred shares of metals and mining group Mechel rose by 7.48% to 84.05 rubles and 3.03% to 79.80 rubles, respectively, as a traditional speculative asset of the Russian market.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	-2.18	283.66	18.051
Gazprom	-0.40	227.78	13.170
Lukoil	+1.15	5787.00	11.067
Rosneft	+2.88	488.05	7.050
Norilsk Nickel	-0.09	25910.00	6.240

(74.2663 rubles – U.S. $1)

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