Russian stocks grow backed by foreign optimism, rising oil

MOSCOW, Aug 24 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks closed higher on Monday supported by optimistic moods on global floors and rising oil prices, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index rose 1.13% to 3,029.42 and the RTS increased 1.55% to 1,281.52.

“The MOEX Russia Index and RTS remained in a steady plus by the end of trading thanks to the improvement of foreign moods,” Veles Capital analyst Yelena Kozhukhova said.

The foreign background was positive. Trading in the U.S. started with growth of three main indices, which were adding around 0.3–1% by the end of the Russian session. Positive moods were seen on European floors.

The nearest futures for Brent and WTI oil were adding around 1% as trading in Russia closed.

Electronic goods and household appliances retailer M.Video-Eldorado was among growth leaders, adding 6.92% after reporting that its adjusted net profit grew 44.2% on the year to 5.327 billion rubles in January–June, as calculated under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

En+ Group and coal producer Raspadskaya were also among growth leaders, adding 4.17% and 3.83%, respectively.

Power producer Territorial Generating Company-2 (TGC-2) was among outsiders, losing 0.78%. Preferred shares of metals and mining group Mechel fell 1.08%.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Yandex	+0.8	4810.20	10.135
Sberbank	-0.07	231.06	9.903
Lukoil	+1.64	5176.00	4.389
Gazprom	+1.34	186.99	4.325
Norilsk Nickel	+0.05	19952.00	4.109

(74.0999 rubles – U.S. $1)

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