Russian stocks decrease on continuing gas price limit talks

MOSCOW, Dec 19 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market decreased on Monday in spite of starting recovery abroad due to uncertainty around introduction of a gas price limit, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index decreased 0.13% to 2,129.98, and the RTS index slid 4.55% to 991.38.

"The securities of oil and gas companies are decreasing. The topic of a gas price limit and a tougher version of the price limit for Russian supplies is being discussed in Europe," Otkritie Research leading analyst for global research Andrei Kochetkov said.

The Russian market was virtually unaffected by the fact that the European market demonstrated an increase after last week's losses, and the U.S. stocks futures grew slightly.

The IT sector, the construction companies and the financial firms fell.

According to Finam analyst Igor Dodonov, the RTS decreased more than the MOEX Russia Index on a dramatic weakening of the ruble. At the same time, a moderately rising oil price prevented a strong fall of the MOEX Russia Index, he said.

The content of the ninth package of E.U. sanctions against Russia was not surprising for investors, while there is still some uncertainty as for Russia's retaliation against an earlier limit on the price of Russian oil, Dodonov said.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+0.09	135.57	7.159
Lukoil	+0.58	4606.5	4.538
Gazprom	-1.52	157.8	2.783
Norilsk Nickel	+1.77	14754	1.651
Polyus	+0.23	7543	1.646

(64.6078 rubles – U.S. $1)

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