Russian stocks close mixed as ruble growth supports RTS

MOSCOW, Dec 25 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks closed mixed on Monday as a rising ruble supported the RTS index, while the external background provided local players with no drivers due to the Christmas holidays, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index edged up 0.10% to 2,105.06 and the RTS increased 0.73% to 1,143.94.

“During the today’s trade, we saw a noticeable strengthening of the ruble against the North American currency. That is why the U.S dollar–denominated RTS index showed a strong increase against the ruble-denominated index of the local market,” Vitaly Manzhos, a senior risk manager at investment company Nord Capital, said.

He said that the external background offered no guidance for the Russian stock market because the majority of foreign floors is closed to celebrate Christmas. A short morning spike in Russian shares was only an echo of a December 22 increase in the price of oil futures, he said.

“The MOEX Russia Index was also supported by the amicable agreement of Rosneft and Sistema,” said Irina Rogova, an analyst at Forex Club group of companies.

Late on December 22, oil major Rosneft and multi-industry holding Sistema said that all participants of a legal dispute of the two companies, Bashneft, and the republic of Bashkortostan signed a peaceful settlement, with Sistema undertaking to pay 100 billion rubles to Rosneft.

Rogova said that this allowed Sistema to become one the growth leaders rising XX% to XX rubles.

Manzhos also said that the agreement was the driver for all companies connected with the case and Sistema. Mobile operator MTS grew 5.20% to 285.50 rubles, children goods retailer Detsky Mir gained 4.58% to 95.95 rubles, Rosneft rose 1.45% to 298 rubles, and preferred shares of Bashneft increased 5.71% to 1,379.50 rubles.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+0.84	223.30	2.494
Sistema	+21.47	13.75	1.638
Gazprom	-0.35	131.96	0.751
Rosneft	+1.45	298.00	0.567
MTS	+5.20	285.50	0.529

(58.3152 rubles – U.S. $1)

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