Russian stocks mixed amid US optimism, European uncertainty

MOSCOW, Aug 28 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks closed mixed on Friday amid different moods on global floors and neutral oil prices, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index fell 1.06% to 2,980.17 and the RTS increased 0.06% to 1,265.62.

“The MOEX Russia Index and the RTS were changing mixed by the end of trading,” Veles Capital analyst Yelena Kozhukhova said, adding that the RTS index closed higher thanks to the ruble’s strengthening.

The foreign background was mixed, the analyst said. Trading in the U.S. started with growth of three main indices, which were adding 0.2–0.5% by the end of the Russian session. At the same time, moderately negative moods prevailed on European floors.

The nearest futures for Brent and WTI oil were trading mixed within 0.5% by the end of the Russian session.

Gold producers Petropavlovsk, Seligdar, Polymetal, and Polyus were among growth leaders, adding 8.68%, 3.97%, 3.96%, and 1.16%, respectively, in line with rising gold quotations.

Children goods retailer Detsky Mir was among outsiders, falling by 4.97%. Global depositary receipts of TCS Group lost 3.24%. Grocery retailer Magnit fell 3.34%.  

Below are the MOEX Russia Index’s five most active stocks on Friday:

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Yandex	+0.48	4866.00	10.948
Sberbank	-0.11	225.99	8.912
Gazprom	-1.14	182.48	6.052
Norilsk Nickel	-1.63	19350.00	5.337
Polyus	+1.16	18380.00	4.057

(75.2354 rubles – U.S. $1)

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