Russian stocks close mixed amid flat oil prices, weak ruble

MOSCOW, Aug 9 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks closed mixed on Tuesday on the back of oil prices fluctuating around U.S. $45 per barrel, overall positive foreign background, and ruble depreciation against the dollar, analysts said.

The MICEX fell 0.03% to 1,956.42 and the RTS increased 0.04% to 953.98.

“Our traders ignored positive moods in Europe, where main stock indicators are demonstrating moderate growth,” Finam analyst Bogdan Zvarich said.

Trading activity remained low amid the peak season of vacations, Otkritie Broker analyst Alexander Kochetkov said.

“The oil price continues growing on expectations that OPEC members will discuss an oil output freeze at a meeting in September,” Forex Club analyst Irina Rogova said.

The foreign background was positive, with futures for Asian, European, and the U.S. indices growing, Rogova said.

Power companies were among growth leaders on Tuesday, Veles Capital analyst Alexander Kostyukov said. Power holding Inter RAO grew 3.61%, the Federal Grid Company of Unified Energy Systems (FGC UES) rose 3.73%, and power utility Mosenergo increased 3.56%.

Retailer Magnit fell 0.74% despite reports that its revenue grew 13.77% on the year to 92.916 billion rubles in July.

Truck maker Kamaz rose 1.29% after reporting that its sales increased 41% on the year to 13,000 in January–July.

Novorossiysk Commercial Sea Port (NCSP) rose 0.12% on reports that its net profit increased 70.7% on the year to 22.2 billion rubles in January–June, as calculated under Russian Accounting Standards (RAS).

Below are the MICEX’ five most active stocks on Tuesday:

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	-0.18	139.20	7.284
Gazprom	-0.09	137.34	3.077
Magnit	-0.74	10846.00	1.740
Lukoil	-1.28	2806.00	1.368
ALROSA	-0.01	74.19	0.988

(65.0799 rubles – U.S. $1)

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