Russian stocks may open flat as foreign bourses close for holidays

MOSCOW, Nov 23 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market is likely to open flat on Thursday in line with global stock exchanges due to the holidays in the U.S. and Japan, analysts said.

“We expect the MICEX to open at around 2,160 and to stay flat during the day in thin trading because of Thanksgiving Day celebrations in the United States,” Oleg Shagov, head of investment company Solid’s research department, said.

He added that the global environment looks neutral with the Brent oil futures fluctuating at $63 per barrel pressured by the latest U.S. drilling report demonstrating a significant rise in drilling operations.

Olma senior analyst Anton Startsev said that in technical analysis terms the RTS index may continue growing to 1,160-1,170 after consolidation above a 1,150 mark.

The main U.S. indices futures and Asian markets are seen flat and mixed, while the European market is likely to open slightly lower.

In Russia, investors may also be interested in the government’s decision on added income tax for oil fields.

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