Russian stocks flat on Brexit optimism, falling oil price

MOSCOW, Oct 17 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market closed neutrally on Thursday, following the European trading floors early in the day, as the European investors welcomed the news that the U.K. and the E.U. agreed on the terms of Brexit, but later declining due to falling oil prices, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index grew 0.16% to 2,748.64, and the RTS index increased 0.45% to 1,353.49.

“The Russian stock market is firming following the green European floors on Thursday, October 17, on the back of an optimistic investor mood in general,” Sofya Kirsanova, portfolio manager at investment company Raiffeisen Capital, said.

According to Kirsanova, the European markets grew after London and Brussels struck a new Brexit agreement. Media reported that the disagreements between England and Northern Ireland were resolved, which increases the chance that a Brexit solution will be reached before the deadline.

Yelena Kozhukhova, analyst at Veles Capital, said that Russian indices fell from their daily highs in the evening as investors took profit in some of the shares.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+1.08	233.5	10.674
Lukoil	+0.09	5715	10.052
Gazprom	+0.13	228	4.872
Yandex	-1.54	1927	1.759
ALROSA	+2.07	73.89	1.739

(64.3455 rubles – U.S. $1)

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