Russian stocks decline on geopolitical tensions with Ukraine

MOSCOW, Nov 26 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks declined on Monday amid increased geopolitical tensions connected with Ukraine, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index fell 1.47% to 2,308.50 and the RTS decreased 2.64% to 1,084.17.

“In the first part of the session, the MOEX Russia Index and the RTS Index fell to the lows of October and September, respectively, after which they won back part of positions. Market participants fear that the tense situation in Ukraine may result in new restrictions from the West, and that’s why are getting rid of shares and the ruble. However, the decline is moderate so far,” Veles Broker analyst Yelena Kozhukhova said.

Finam expert Vasily Oleinik also said that “growth of geopolitical risks due to yesterday’s conflict in the Kerch Strait led to a collapse of the Russian stock indices of 2–3% in the first hours of trading, but the situation is trying to gradually stabilize. It is difficult yet to speak about the upcoming week, but it is most likely that the geopolitical factor and provocations will lead to stresses on the Russian stock market multiple times over the next one to two months.”

The ruble depreciated against the dollar and strengthened against the euro, Kozhukhova said.

Oil quotations are gaining around 1.5%, and trading on European floors is on an optimistic note.

Polymetal, Rosneft, and RussNeft were among growth leaders, adding 4.39%, 0.44%, and 2.18%, respectively, while Sberbank was among outsiders, with its common and preferred shares losing 4.46% and 2.8%, respectively.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	-4.46	188.50	22.421
Lukoil	-1.01	4623.00	5.374
Gazprom	-1.49	149.53	4.542
Rosneft	+0.44	407.00	3.008
Norilsk Nickel	+0.04	11959.00	2.559

(65.6664 rubles – U.S. $1)

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