Russian stocks close mixed on corporate news, weak ruble

MOSCOW, Jan 30 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market closed mixed on Monday on some corporate stories, a falling ruble rate and the Economic Development Ministry’s inflation forecast, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index rose 0.69% to 2,204.41 and the RTS decreased 0.50% to 987.39.

“By the end of the main session on Monday the Russian stock market did not show unified dynamics, being under the influence of corporate stories and the ruble,” Veles Capital analyst Yelena Kozhukhova said.

Freedom Finance Global’s Senior Analyst Natalya Milchakova said that the market was supported by corporate news and the publication of the Economic Development Ministry’s forecast, which suggests consumer price inflation in the range of 5–6% in 2023.

The largest growth by the end of the session was shown by Polyus, and by the stocks of Rostelecom and Qiwi.

Polyus continued to be in demand early in the week, along with other gold stocks, although prices for the precious metal continue to consolidate near the U.S. $1,930 per ounce level, Kozhukhova said.

Rostelecom's common shares jumped to their highest since September last year early in the day amid media reports about the possible purchase of MegaFon from its majority owner USM Group, the analyst said.

The biggest declines were seen in the shares of TMK, which fell after the dividend report for January–September 2022, the analyst also said.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Polyus	+4.98	9204.5	5.281
Sberbank	+0.13	153.4	4.29
HSCI	+14.76	91.58	2.478
Gazprom	-0.03	159.04	1.492
Polymetal	+1.99	476.4	1.202

(69.3372 rubles – U.S. $1)

End