Russian stocks close mixed on favorable global backdrop, corp news

MOSCOW, Jan 18 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market closed mixed on Wednesday on the back of some corporate news and positive global background, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index fell 0.03% to 2,196.26 and the RTS increased 0.35% to 1,006.35.

“The Russian stock market was on the upside by the end of the main trading session on Wednesday, thanks to some corporate stories and positive external signals,” Veles Broker analyst Yelena Kozhukhova said.

Freedom Finance Global’s Senior Analyst Natalya Milchakova said that many politicians and economists representing G7 states expressed their belief that the world economy will be able to avoid a recession this year. Stock markets “reacted positively to this rhetoric,” the analyst added.

The mild positive moods on the global markets and growing oil prices contributed to a recovery of the Russian stock market, analyst at managing company Pervaya Ivan Kapustyansky said.

The leader of the growth was Polymetal, whose shares increased on an active rise in gold prices, the analyst said.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+1.03	152	9.08
Gazprom	+0.33	162.86	2.133
Lenenergo	+6.35	10.55	1.117
Polyus	+0.7	8186	1.093
Lukoil	-0.12	4037.5	0.916

(68.6644 rubles – U.S. $1)

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