Russian stocks close mixed amid persisting uncertainty

MOSCOW, Apr 21 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market closed mixed on Thursday in light of continuing geopolitical uncertainty, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index fell 2.56% to 2,271.05 and the RTS increased 0.11% to 961.46.

“Optimistic sentiments prevailed on global stock exchanges on Thursday, but the Russian stock market demonstrated uncertainty. The U.K. announced new (import) sanctions against Russia… the U.S. banned Russian ships from entering its ports and increased the financial and military aid to Ukraine,” Veles Broker analyst Yelena Kozhukhova said.

The restrictions have not impacted the local stock indices much at once, but both indices stayed below their short-term resistance lines, she added.

Senior analyst at financial supermarket Banki.Ru Bogdan Zvarich said that the ruble continued to strengthen to around 74 rubles against the U.S. dollars and 80 rubles against the euro thanks to sales of foreign currency by the exporters.

Kozhukhova said that oil producer Lukoil and IT giant Yandex were among the worst performers during the day.

Yandex recalled all its results outlooks for 2022 due to the market uncertainty.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Gazprom	-3.94%	210.29	5.238
Lukoil	-7.8%	3974	4.986
Sberbank	-2.35%	118.65	4.865
Novatek	-0.24%	998.8	1.808
Yandex	-8.03%	1646	1.680

(77.0809 rubles – U.S. $1)

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