Russian stocks fall on mixed foreign markets, easing oil prices

MOSCOW, Dec 8 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market closed lower on Thursday as foreign markets traded mixed and the oil prices edged down, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index decreased by 0.39% to 2,184.43, and the RTS index fell by 0.21% to 1,096.63.

"Moderately negative dynamics on the foreign markets favors a bearish mood on the Moscow Exchange,” Finam analyst Anna Builakova said.

“Fears of a worsening situation in the global economy pressure the global investment community. The U.S. and European investors are preparing for another round of toughening of monetary politics by the local regulators at the meetings slated for the middle of the next week."

Managing company Pervaya analyst Dmitry Postolenko said that the key Asian indices finished the session mixed, the European indices mostly fell, and the key U.S. futures rose by 0.2%.

Investor activity decreased ahead of publication of the U.S. inflation data on December 12 and the producer price index on Friday. If inflation deceleration continues, investors will pin more hopes on monetary policies’ easing in the country in 2023, the analyst said.

The oil prices continued to edged down after sliding to U.S. $77.5 per barrel from $80, on a U.S. Department of Energy report of a 5.2 million barrel oil reserves decrease but growth of gasoline and distillate reserves for a fourth week in a row, he said.

Concern over a recession in the developed states added to the fall, Postolenko said, adding that oil is oversold and might correct upwards soon.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	-1.36	140.38	8.181
Norilsk Nickel	-0.6	14948	1.531
Gazprom	+0.03	163.75	1.263
Magnit	-0.5	4470	1.232
Polyus	-0.3	7.430.5	1.201

(62.9372 rubles – U.S. $1)

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