Russian stocks close mixed on uncertain environ, lower virus risks

MOSCOW, Jan 29 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market consolidated during the day and closed mixed on Wednesday thanks to a controversial foreign background and lowering risks of the new virus, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index grew 0.50% to 3,128.80 and the RTS fell 0.10% to 1,570.65.

“The Russian stock market managed to recoup another part of Monday’s losses amid a mixed background… the market hit a 3,140 mark, but failed to consolidate near the day’s highest,” senior analyst at Promsvyazbank Bogdan Zvarich said.

Western floors’ dynamics encouraged the local market with the European benchmarks adding up to 0.4% by the end of the day, and the U.S. Dow Jones and S&P500 rising 0.2% and 0.1%, respectively, in the first 30 minutes of trading. But the Brent oil futures fell to below U.S. $60 per barrel, he added.

Otkritie Broker analyst Andrei Kochetkov said that the global market is gradually understanding that the new coronavirus is not so lethal, which adds positivity. Precious metals miners Polymetal International and Polyus lost 0.56% and 0.30%, respectively, on the weakening risks.

Federal Grid Company of Unified Energy Systems (FGC UES) and coal producer Raspadskaya were among the best performers growing 3.48% and 3.17%.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Gazprom	-1.28	232	12.383
Sberbank	+0.87	259.94	9.098
Lukoil	-0.26	6633	6.321
Norilsk Nickel	-0.24	21230	4.066
Surgutneftegas	+1.14	47.935	3.253

(62.8299 rubles – U.S. $1)

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