Russian stocks decrease on falling oil prices, geopolitical risks

MOSCOW, Feb 15 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market decreased on Wednesday amid deteriorating situation on the global markets, declining oil and metal prices and increased geopolitical risks, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index fell 2.95% to 2,166.46 and the RTS decreased 3.98% to 914.94.

“Russian stock market declined today for the second trading session in a row on the back of worsening situation on the foreign stock markets and falling oil and metal prices,” Promsvyazbank senior analyst Vladimir Lyashchuk said.

Decline in commodity prices contributed to sales of shares in the oil, gas and metals sectors, the analyst also said.

Freedom Finance Global’s Senior Analyst Natalya Milchakova said that the Russian stocks were under pressure of unexpected passing of the bill reducing the Urals oil price discount to Brent in order to raise taxes on oil companies, the discussion in the E.U. of the tenth package of sanctions against Russia, and negative dynamics in oil prices.

Only some shares of “second-tier issuers” remained in the plus, the analyst added.

The financial sector was worse, where Tinkoff shares were losing 6.78% on reports about possible restrictions imposed on the bank by the E.U., Lyashchuk said.

Gold prices continued to correct and fell below U.S. $1,850 per ounce, which made Polyus and Polymetal shares look worse than the market, the analyst also said.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	-2.87	157.21	11.59
Polyus	-4.8	8503	4.786
Yandex	-2.89	1970	2.898
Gazprom	-2.06	153.3	2.759
Lukoil	-1.39	3860	2.133

(73.8645 rubles – U.S. $1)

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