Russian stocks may fall at opening over global risks, oil prices

MOSCOW, Feb 21 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market may fall at opening on Tuesday over geopolitical risks in the expectations of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s annual address to the Federal Assembly and falling oil prices, analyst said.

“Today in the morning, we expect more selling in Russian stocks, which will be promoted by worsening oil prices. As a result, the MOEX Russia index could lose yesterday's gains, returning to last week's closing levels,” senior analyst at financial supermarket Banki.Ru Bogdan Zvarich said.

Investors are waiting for new triggers to move, their attention will be drawn to the president’s annual address to the Federal Assembly, BitRiver financial analyst Vladislav Antonov said.

Trading started with a decline, but came out in the plus on the back of the weakening ruble, the analyst also said. If after the rebound the boost does not fade after Putin's speech, then the growth can be expected to continue and the MOEX Russia Index may rise to 2,200, he added.

The market has shown strength and the mood for growth, but the situation can change at any moment, because of important political events that will take place today and tomorrow, head of Alor Broker’s investment consulting department Alexei Antonov said.

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