Russian stocks close mixed on weak ruble, Brent consolidation

MOSCOW, Nov 14 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks closed mixed on Friday, as the RTS fell on ruble weakening, while the oversold MICEX showed a slight growth on the Brent price upward consolidation and good E.U. statistics, analysts said.

The MICEX rose 0.56% to 1,059.68, and the RTS decreased 1.16% to 1,000.42.

“The main negative factors for the market include the falling ruble, which lost 63 kopecks to 47.45 against the U.S. dollar, low oil prices and risks of new sanctions, while positive factors include E.U. statistics and the fact that Russian stocks are oversold,” Ivan Kopeikin, analyst at BCS Express, said.

The Brent price exceeded U.S. $79 per barrel after its fall to around $78 per barrel, was also welcomed by investors, he said.

“The market was backed by macro statistics issued by the E.U. which showed that euro zone’s June–September GDP grew 0.2% under preliminary calculations exceeding market expectations and causing the Brent price consolidation,” Viktor Markov, Zerich Capital Management senior analyst, said.

“Russian stocks have finished the week mixed, but the overall mood is likely to be that of depression, as the MICEX did not rebound on fundamental factors,” Andrei Dirgin, head of Alfa-Forex research department, said.

Growth leaders included RUSAL, which grew 10.92% to 325 rubles, as Norilsk Nickel, in which the aluminum giant holds a 27.8% stake, may pay $4.5 billion in dividends until 2018, and oil company Rosneft which grew 0.99% to 233.79 rubles on the Brent price rise.

Among loss leaders was AFK Sistema, which fell 2.36% to 0.1435 rubles per share after a Moscow court extended the house arrest of Vladimir Yevtushenkov, its core owner.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+0.16	74.03	7.507
Gazprom	+0.46	141.84	4.971
Lukoil	0	2083.60	2.670
Norilsk Nickel	+2	8030.00	1.600
Magnit	+0.5	11790.00	1.304

(46.1233 rubles – U.S. $1)

End