Russian stocks close mixed on ruble rise, Brent consolidation

MOSCOW, Dec 22 (PRIME) -- The Russian stocks closed mixed on Monday as the ruble and the oil price have strengthened and on the promise of China aid, analysts said.

The MICEX eased 0.83% to 1,437.08 and RTS rose 5.59% to 811.03.

The RTS, denominated in U.S. dollars, rose on the ruble growth, while the MICEX, denominated in rubles, fell as investors continued to flee from risky assets, Sofiya Kirsanova, analyst at Raiffeisen Capital, said.

The stocks’ growth factors included the ruble’s strengthening and the statement by China’s Foreign Minister David Lin that China is ready to provide support to Russia if necessary, Ivan Kopeikin, analyst at BCS Express said.

Metals companies fell after strong demand for their shares due to a weak ruble and Brent price last week, including Polymetal, which fell 25.60% to 502 rubles.

State-run VEB Bank rose 10.59% to 0.06 rubles in anticipation of National Wealth Fund’s funding.

The news that the Deposit Insurance Agency (DIA) will not provide state funding to state-run Sberbank which also stopped grating car loans and increased mortgage rates to 16% were not welcomed by bank’s investors as it fell 4.62% to 58.60 rubles.

The central bank’s decision to set Trust Bank, one of Russia’s top 30 banks by assets for 30 billion ruble bailout via the DIA put Russian banks’ securities under additional pressure.

Below are the MICEX’ five most active stocks on Monday:

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	-4.62	58.60	13.954
VTB	+10.59	0.06110	6.879
Gazprom	-1.59	136.49	6.682
Lukoil	+2.76	2363.50	3.693
Norilsk Nickel	0.69	8799.00	2.330

(60.6825 rubles – U.S. $1)

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