Russian stocks close mixed amid strengthening ruble

MOSCOW, Mar 29 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market closed mixed on Tuesday with the MOEX Russia Index falling and the RTS index rising on the strengthening ruble, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index decreased by 0.91% to 2,408.49, and the RTS index grew by 7.11% to 881.59.

"Investors, both Russian and international, are focused on the negotiations between Kiev and Moscow that continue in Turkey this week. There is no reason to expect significant improvements, they will probably be focused on softening the humanitarian situation in Ukraine," Alfa-Bank analyst John Walsh said in a research note.

The analyst added that strengthening of the ruble is favorable for the market, most of all, the oil and gas companies.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+3.02	128.77	9.470
Gazprom	-4.85	208	8.780
Yandex cl A	+4.6	2020	5.316
PhosAgro	+6.75	8908	4.078
Lukoil	-3.83	4922	3.213

(93.7125 rubles – U.S. $1)  

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