Russian stocks close mixed over lull at foreign trade floors

MOSCOW, Aug 21 (PRIME) – The Russian stocks closed mixed on Wednesday as the foreign trade floors were in a lull ahead of a U.S. Federal Reserve System (Fed) meeting’s minutes publication, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index firmed 0.04% to 2,673.95 and the RTS increased 1.23% to 1,280.19.

“The atmosphere of the global stock markets was that of caution, which is not surprising taking into account the upcoming events, the first of which is the release of minutes of the Fed’s meeting this evening. The Russian stocks also showed low activity and mixed dynamics,” Arseny Dadashev, director of the Academy for management of Finance and Investment, said.

The RTS Index outperformed the MOEX Russia Index due to the strengthening of the ruble, Dadashev said.

The ruble jumped 70.50 kopecks to 65.86 against the U.S. dollar and 76.75 kopecks to 73.10 against the euro as of 6.23 p.m. Moscow time, according to the Moscow Exchange.

“The external background improved significantly on the European side of trade, but the market in Russia decided to switch into consolidation,” Andrei Kochetkov, senior analyst at Otkritie Broker, said.

Oil major Rosneft rose 0.61% to 410.40 rubles on the news that its net profit rose 9.1% in January–June, including a 48.1% jump on the year in April–June. The company’s board of directors recommended paying 15.34 rubles per share in dividends for January–June, Kochetkov said.

Kochetkov also said that shares of meat producer Cherkizovo Group gained 1.93% to 1,926.50 rubles after the board of directors recommended paying 48.79 rubles per share in dividends.

Preferred shares of oil company Surgutneftegas fell 1.36% to 31.465 rubles thanks to a strong ruble, he added.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+1.21	218.62	9.367
Gazprom	-0.14	231.22	4.740
Lukoil	-0.91	5278.00	4.179
Rosneft	+0.61	410.40	2.145
Norilsk Nickel	-0.20	15120.00	1.925

(66.7840 rubles – U.S. $1)

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