Russian stocks close mixed on weak ruble, Brent, US job statistics

MOSCOW, May 8 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks closed mixed on Friday, with the RTS falling due to the ruble weakening, and the MICEX rising propped up by mining companies, analysts said.

The MICEX rose 1.28% to 1,708.52 and the RTS decreased 0.11% to 1,059.52.

“Today indices have demonstrated mixed dynamics for three reasons. Firstly, expectations of the second part of public holidays in May decreased trade volumes significantly. Secondly, market players were wary ahead of U.S. job statistics. Thirdly, oil prices have stabilized between U.S. $65 and $66 per barrel, but still show a strong volatility,” Alexander Egorov, analyst at TeleTrade, said.

The dollar-denominated RTS fell reflecting the ruble weakening, while the ruble-denominated MICEX grew moderately, and growth leaders included mineral companies, Timur Nigmatullin, analyst at Finam, said.

Major gas exporter Gazprom rose 2.25% to 155.52 rubles on the back of the ruble weakening.

Another exporter, metals producer Norilsk Nickel rose 3.32% to 10.540 rubles.

Power utility Russian Grids, which signed an agreement with State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) to create a joint venture for projects in the power grid sector, rose 2.11% to 0.556 rubles.

Power producer Wholesale Generating Company-2 (WGC-2), whose board of directors recommended paying 860.562 million rubles, or 0.008 rubles per share, in dividends for 2014, rose 1.83% to 0.2789 rubles.

Preference shares of indebted power utility RAO ES Vostoka rose 5.95% to 0.098 rubles after its board of directors recommended paying no dividends for 2014 and spending the net profit to redeem losses of previous years.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	-1.31	75.50	8.296
Gazprom	+2.25	155.52	3.438
Norilsk Nickel	+3.32	10540.00	2.230
VTB	-0.03	0.06750	2.227
Lukoil	+1.55	2691.60	1.782

(50.3615 rubles – U.S. $1)

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