Russian stocks increase amid oil price stabilization

MOSCOW, Dec 22 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks increased on Tuesday amid a moderately positive background and oil prices stabilizing above U.S. $36 per barrel, analysts said.

The MICEX rose 0.38% to 1,723.35 and the RTS increased 0.45% to 762.40.

“At the same time, the local market is not able to demonstrate a more significant rebound after Friday’s (December 18) sharp decline. Oil prices remain low, and this restrains traders,” Bank Obrazovanie’s senior analyst Vitaly Manzhos said.

Trading activity has already started reducing ahead of the upcoming New Year holidays, analysts said.

Oil major Rosneft rose 1% on reports that it received a right to explore and develop the Khatangsky shelf site located in the Laptev Sea without an open auction, InstaForex analyst Igor Kovalyov said.

Metals giant Norilsk Nickel closed almost 2% higher as the company’s shareholders approved paying 321.95 rubles per share, or a total of 50.9 billion rubles, in dividends for January–September.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+1.08	99.80	4.871
Gazprom	+1.29	133.20	2.657
Lukoil	-0.50	2327.00	2.403
Norilsk Nickel	+1.90	9220.00	1.360
Rosneft	+1.06	248.20	0.818

(71.2553 rubles – U.S. $1)

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