Russian stocks close mixed as oil prices, ruble grow

MOSCOW, Aug 16 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks closed mixed on Thursday on investor concerns about new U.S. sanctions, while a slight rebound in oil prices and the ruble rate supported the RTS index, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index fell 0.27% to 2,261.09 and the RTS increased 1.07% to 1,066.51.

“The major inspiration for foreign investors today came from the announcement of a visit of a Chinese delegation to the U.S. for trade negotiations. But that was not enough to bring back optimism to the national market, where two major negative factors are still in place – the expected sanctions from Washington and a general pressure on assets of emerging countries,” Igor Kovalyov, an analyst at InstaForex group of companies, said.

Kovalyov also said that the RTS Index reacted to a correctional rebound of the ruble and to a slight increase of oil prices.

Andrei Kochetkov, a senior analyst at Otkritie Broker, said that shares of steelmakers were under pressure ahead of a government meeting scheduled for Friday to discuss additional taxes for metals companies. Severstal, Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK), and Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK) lost 0.47%, 2.02%, and 1.39%, respectively.

Ivan Marchena, an analyst at Forex Club group of companies, said that Gazprom Neft rose 3.19% after the publication of strong financial results for January–June and plans to raise dividend payout for January–September.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+1.93	191.60	10.404
Gazprom	-0.44	140.88	2.022
Lukoil	-0.73	4396.00	1.912
Norilsk Nickel	-0.90	10901.00	1.571
ALROSA	-1.77	94.10	1.226

(66.3772 rubles – U.S. $1)

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