Russian stocks grow on rising oil prices, neutral stock markets

MOSCOW, May 4 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market indices increased on Tuesday on the back of the growing oil markets and marginally changing stock market indices, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index grew by 0.94% to 3,577.21, and the RTS Index increased by 1.18% to 1,502.58.

"The external factors have been favorable for short-term purchases so far, as well as the absence of sanction signals, although the geopolitical situation has remained unstable," Veles Broker analyst Yelena Kozhukhova said.

The oil market trend was moderately positive with the closest Brent and WTI futures accelerating growth to about 2% in the middle of the session on expectations of higher demand as soon as the U.S. and European economies resume activities, Kozhukhova said.

Finam analyst Alexei Kalachyov said that the markets of China, Japan and the U.K. were closed on Monday, and China and Japan remained on holidays on Tuesday. The Korea's KOSPI rose by 0.64%, the Hang Seng of Hong Kong added 0.94%.

Kozhukhova said that RUSAL returned to growth following aluminum prices and increased 3.18%.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+1.2	301.3	16.769
Gazprom	+0.72	233.05	8.371
Norlsk Nickel	+1.43	26100	7.930
Lukoil	+2.93	5975	7.620
VTB	+5.22	0.054295	7.375

(74.8451 – U.S. $1)

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