Russian stocks may open flat on Greek debt issue uncertainty

MOSCOW, Jul 2 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks may open flat on Thursday, as investor activity will remain under pressure amid uncertainty over Greece’s financial state, analysts said.

“We expect the Russian market to open in a neutral zone, assuming that the MICEX index will continue fluctuations around the current levels reacting to the development of the situation with Greece,” Oleg Shagov, head of analytical department at investment company Solid, said.

“Under our estimates, the influence of the main external factors on the Russian stock market is mixed today in the morning. U.S. stock market futures are slightly falling. Leading Asian stock indicators do not demonstrate single dynamics. Brent oil price futures are slightly outplaying yesterday’s losses standing at around U.S. $62 per barrel,” the analyst said.

Uncertainty over Greece will most likely continue putting a downward pressure on investors’ activity over the next few days, Olma senior analyst Anton Startsev said.

The Greek government expects to sign a new agreement with international creditors straight after holding a referendum scheduled for Sunday, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said. At the same time, the Eurogroup said it won’t hold talks on Greek crisis settlement before the referendum.

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