Russian stocks fall amid pessimistic foreign sentiment

MOSCOW, Sep 24 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks decreased on Thursday after two days of strong growth dragged by pessimistic moods on global floors, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index fell 0.12% to 2,912.76 and the RTS decreased 0.57% to 1,188.98.

“The MOEX Russia Index and the RTS stayed in red by the end of trading remaining under pressure of pessimistic moods abroad and certain corporate factors,” Veles Capital analyst Yelena Kozhukhova said.

The foreign background was mixed. Trading in the U.S. started with a decline of three main indices, which were changing within 0.7% by the end of the Russian session. Moderately negative moods were seen on European floors.

The nearest futures for Brent and WTI oil were fluctuating between plus and minus by the evening changing within 0.5%.

Precious metals producer Polymetal was among growth leaders, adding 3.78% on strong financial results for January–June.

Electronic goods and household appliances retailer M.Video and oil major Lukoil rose by 5.35% and 2.54%, respectively.

Tech giant Mail.ru Group dropped 5.56% with its global depositary receipts (GDR) being under pressure of the company’s plans to raise U.S. $600 million in a GDR placement.

Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) and Internet giant Yandex were also among outsiders, losing 3.22% and 2.8%, respectively.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	-0.06	228.36	17.828
Yandex	-2.8	4868.20	12.456
Lukoil	+2.54	4569.00	6.941
Gazprom	+0.54	177.96	5.400
Mail.ru GDRs	-5.56	2196.00	4.746

(76.3545 rubles – U.S. $1)

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