Russian stocks fall dragged by decline of Western exchanges

MOSCOW, Jan 14 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks decreased on Tuesday dragged by negative dynamics of Western stock exchanges, analysts said.   

The MOEX Russia Index fell 0.70% to 3,129.77 and the RTS decreased 0.91% to 1,604.96.

“The MOEX Russia Index and RTS entered minus by the end of trading after renewing maximums earlier during the session,” Veles Capital analyst Yelena Kozhukhova said.  

Trading in the U.S. started with a decline of three main indices, which were losing around 0.2% by the end of the Russian session. Moods on European floors were moderately negative.

Brent and WTI oil quotations were gaining around 0.5% by the evening after Monday’s decline.

Hydropower giant RusHydro’s shares jumped 12.81% after CEO Nikolai Shulginov told Kommersant business daily that the company plans to prolong the updated dividend policy until 2025, Kozhukhova said. Under the basic scenario, RusHydro is to pay 50% of net profit under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), but no less than the average amount of dividends paid for the last three years.

Moreover, there are rumors that RAO ES of the East may become the parent company of RusHydro.

Metals and mining company Mechel and gas producer Novatek were among outsiders, falling by 3.73% and 3.57%, respectively. 

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
RusHydro	+12.81	0.687	11.962
Gazprom	-0.6	250.00	8.263
Sberbank	-1.28	259.05	8.104
Norilsk Nickel	-1.78	20000.00	5.829
Lukoil	-0.15	6520.50	4.695

(60.9474 rubles – U.S. $1)

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