Russian stocks fall on deterioration of foreign background

MOSCOW, Mar 18 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market closed lower on Thursday due to the deterioration of the foreign background, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index fell 0.09% to 3,504.85 and the RTS decreased 0.33% to 1,488.72.

“By the end of the trading session, the MOEX Russia Index and RTS did not hold out at the highs of the day and went into the negative territory, including due to the deterioration of external factors,” Veles Capital analyst Yelena Kozhukhova said.

The foreign background was moderately negative. Trading in the U.S. started with a decline of three main indices, which were trading mixed within 1.5% by the end of the Russian session. Moderately positive moods were seen on European floors.

The nearest futures for Brent and WTI oil accelerated their decline by the end of the day and were losing around 4%.

Oil and gas pipe producer TMK was among growth leaders, adding 3.79%. X5 Retail Group’s global depositary receipts (GDRs) increased 0.96%. Grocery retailer Magnit rose 3.18%.

TCS Group was among outsiders, with its GDRs losing 2.65%. Grocery retailer Lenta’s depositary receipts fell 2.96%. Oil major Lukoil decreased 2.62% after reporting weak financial results for 2020.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+0.04	283.45	18.148
Gazprom	-1.02	227.55	13.595
Norilsk Nickel	-0.59	22742.00	12.903
Lukoil	-2.62	6196.00	11.836
Yandex	-2.57	4908.00	7.760

(73.1019 rubles – U.S. $1)

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