Russian stocks decline slightly amid negative backdrop, no drivers

MOSCOW, Sep 19 (PRIME) -- The Russian stocks closed on Monday with a small decline amid mixed signals from the foreign floors and the absence of ideas for movement, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index decreased by 0.19% to 2,430.54, and the RTS Index decreased by 0.19% to 1,272.66.

“The Russian stock market finished the trading session with a moderate decrease … in the absence of new ideas in the most liquid stocks,” Veles Capital analyst Yelena Kozhukhova said.

Finam analyst Ksenia Lapshina said that the external background was rather negative in light of recession and inflation worries on the western trading floors, while oil price dynamics were close to zero.

According to Kozhukhova, the foreign stock floors showed rather moderate optimism that can be explained by correction amid an almost empty schedule of macroeconomic statistics.

VK’s global depositary receipts (GDRs) grew the most in the absence of specific news on the back of the company’s revaluation and hopes for improvement of its fundamental prospects, Kozhukhova said.

Globaltrans fell by 4.69%, which may be seen as correction after its growth during the previous session on September 16, she said. Today the company released solid financial results for January–June and reiterated that dividends payments for 2021 remain suspended.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Gazprom	-0.07	243.64	4.941
Sberbank	+0.05	137.8	4.434
VK	+7.45	548	1.773
Lukoil	-0.76	4485	1.530
Norilsk Nickel	-1.55	15976	1.380

(60.0316 rubles – U.S. $1)

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