Russian stocks grow on stronger ruble, rising European floors

MOSCOW, Dec 13 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks increased on Tuesday supported by a stronger ruble and growth on European floors, analysts said.

The MICEX rose 0.90% to 2,247.02 and the RTS grew 1.35% to 1,164.15.

“The Russian stock market grew in the second half of the day thanks to growth of shares of companies of the oil and gas sector, as well as rising dynamics of Western indices. European indices were gaining 0.8–1% by the end of the trading session,” Veles Capital analyst Alexander Kostyukov said.

Forex Club analyst Irina Rogova said that Brent oil futures were making attempts to resume growth, but the impulse was not sufficient to return at least to Monday’s maximum.

Uncut diamond mining giant ALROSA jumped 3.89% on recent reports that the government will discuss further privatization of the company.

Oil major Lukoil was among outsiders losing 1.38% as CEO Vagit Alekperov said the company’s net profit will decrease by 35–40% in 2016 due to lower oil prices, InstaForex analyst Igor Kovalyov said.

Metals giant Norilsk Nickel lost 0.96% on the back of falling nickel and copper prices, Kostyukov said.

Below are the MICEX’ five most active stocks on Tuesday:

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+0.86	176.90	11.293
Gazprom	+0.2	158.95	6.846
ALROSA	+3.89	98.70	3.628
Rosneft	+2.49	397.80	3.511
Lukoil	-1.38	3328.50	2.803

(61.5804 rubles – U.S. $1)

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