Russian stocks mixed amid growing oil, better background

MOSCOW, Aug 13 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks closed mixed on Tuesday amid an improved foreign background and oil price growth spurred by the U.S. decision to delay some duties on Chinese goods, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index fell 0.36% to 2,680.12 and the RTS increased 0.29% to 1,297.85.

“The MOEX Russia Index and the RTS Index came out of a small minus into plus by the end of trading on Tuesday amid an improvement of the foreign background,” Veles Capital analyst Yelena Kozhukhova said.

Trading on the U.S. stock floors opened with a decline of three main indices, which were gaining 1.5–1.9% by the end of trading in Russia. Purchases were caused by the U.S. decision to delay introduction of 10% duties on some Chinese goods until December 15.

Trading in Europe was on an optimistic note.

Oil quotations were gaining around 3.5% on the back of trade news.

Power producer Wholesale Generating Company-2 (WGC-2) and power utility Mosenergo were among growth leaders, rising by 3.13% and 1.67%, respectively, Kozhukhova said. Precious metals producer Polymetal and power grid holding Rosseti were among outsiders, losing 2.47% and 2.57%, respectively.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+0.4	223.18	10.427
Gazprom	-0.16	229.87	8.053
Lukoil	-0.83	5276.00	4.218
Norilsk Nickel	-1.1	14858.00	2.421
Polyus	-0.93	7024.00	1.693

(65.4287 rubles – U.S. $1)

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