Russian stocks grow on foreign markets’, oil price increase

MOSCOW, Dec 23 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market rose on Wednesday following advancing foreign markets, oil prices and Gazprom shares, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index grew 0.48% to 3,252.10, and the RTS index rose 1.13% to 1,366.76.

"MOEX Russia and RTS indices rose by the end of the session, supported by improvement of the global mood," Veles Capital analyst Yelena Kozhukhova said.

Otkritie Broker analyst Andrei Kochetkov said that the oil prices were supported by a weak U.S. dollar and a fire on Exxon Mobil's portal Qua Iboe in Nigeria, where a worker died. The terminal will probably resume working in early January.

Kozhukhova said that the European markets were moderately positive with Euro Stoxx 50 rising 1.1%. The U.S. stock market was moderately positive with S&P 500 trying to consolidate at 3,700.

Kochetkov said that the securities of Gazprom were keeping the Russian market from falling, as market participants heard the news that Nord Stream-2 pipeline construction will start in the exclusive economic zone of Denmark from January 15. The gas price in Netherlands' hub TTF reached U.S. $220 for 1,000 cubic meters, a maximum in 22 months.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+2.59	268.83	15.142
Gazprom	+1.26	211.03	13.182
Norilsk Nickel	-1.73	23350	4.941
Lukoil	+0.61	5104	2.807
Rosneft	+0.12	431.2	2.005

(75.3498 rubles – U.S. $1)

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