Russian stocks may open almost flat amid uncertain foreign environ

MOSCOW, Dec 23 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market can open with moderate changes and consolidate during the day on Friday in light of a lack of significant movement drivers and a mixed foreign background, analysts said.

“Generally, the technical picture of the Russian stock market has not changed. We expect the MOEX Russia Index to consolidate at nearly 2,120 at the end of the week,” BitRiver financial analyst Vladislav Antonov said.

Vitaly Manzhos, senior risk manager at investment company Algo Capital, expects the market to open with moderate changes of below 0.5–0.8% within the range of 2,110–2,140 for the MOEX Russia Index, and to consolidate later in the day waiting for new signals for movement.

The core U.S. indices futures are rising by around 0.2%, the Brent oil price has added 0.9%, and the major Asian markets are seen up to 1% lower so the external background can be characterized as uncertain or mixed, Manzhos added.

Promsvyazbank managing expert Yekaterina Krylova sees no reasons for crude prices to continue growth and expects the price to return to $80–82 per barrel.

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