Russian stocks close mixed amid sanctions fears, stronger ruble

MOSCOW, Jun 8 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks closed mixed on Monday amid a stronger ruble, decreased oil prices, and reports that new sanctions could be introduced against Russia if the situation in Ukraine gets worse, analysts said.

The MICEX fell 0.31% to 1,646.89 and the RTS rose 0.06% to 923.23.

“The MICEX index remains in the minus zone, as prospects of introduction of new anti-Russian sanctions curb development of positive moods,” InstaForex analyst Anton Fomin said. “Only the RTS is now demonstrating a positive mood, reacting to the ruble’s attempts to win back part of its recent depreciation,” the analyst said.

G7 countries are ready to introduce additional sanctions against Russia, as Russian forces continue operations in eastern Ukraine violating the country’s sovereignty, U.S. President Barack Obama said Monday after a G7 summit held in Germany.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that leaders of G7 nations are ready to toughen anti-Russian sanctions if the situation in Ukraine gets worse, though they would prefer not to take such measures. But the countries did not discuss certain measures to tighten the sanctions at the summit, she also said.

On the currency market, the ruble showed appreciation on Monday partially as the central bank reduced foreign currency purchases from the market last week due to high volatility, which was positively perceived by market players, Finam analyst Timur Nigmatullin said.

Russia’s Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) closed 0.35% lower despite reporting a U.S. $196 million net profit in January–March against a $79 million net loss in the same period of 2014, as calculated under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

Russian oil company Bashneft’s common shares were flat and preferred ones lost 2% after the company said its IFRS net profit fell 18.4% on the year to 11.39 billion rubles in January–March.

Russia’s Novorossiysk Commercial Sea Port’s (NCSP) common shares gained 2.58% after the company posted an IFRS net profit of U.S. $71 million in January–March against a net loss of $31.192 million in the same period of 2014.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	-2.04	69.17	7.183
VTB	+1.02	0.08190	4.564
Gazprom	+0.18	142.66	3.271
Lukoil	-0.70	2551.90	2.214
Norilsk Nickel	+0.32	9954.00	1.736

(56.2463 rubles – U.S. $1)

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