Russian stocks mixed amid oil price growth, improved background

MOSCOW, May 30 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks closed mixed on Wednesday amid resumed oil price growth, improved foreign background and solid financial reports by domestic companies, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index fell 0.02% to 2,297.60 and the RTS increased 0.70% to 1,162.96.

“By the middle of trading day, main Russian stock indices MOEX Russia Index and RTS are demonstrating uneven deviation from the levels of previous close. The dollar-denominated RTS index has significantly increased under the influence of correctional strengthening of the ruble against the North American currency. At the same time, the MOEX Russia Index is only hesitantly balancing on the verge of a positive and negative change,” Vitaly Manzhos, a senior risk manager at investment company Nord Capital, said.

Otkritie Broker analyst Andrei Kochetkov said “that the external situation has calmed down a bit, which had a pacifying impact on the Russian market. In addition, there were some encouraging corporate news.”

National flagship air carrier Aeroflot was among growth leaders adding 6.07% after its board of directors recommended paying 14.22 billion rubles, or 12.8053 rubles per share, in dividends for 2017.

Top lender Sberbank grew 0.92% on reports that its net profit rose 27.3% on the year to 212.1 billion rubles in January–March, as calculated under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

Fertilizer maker Acron added 0.37% after reporting that its IFRS net profit more than doubled on the year to 4.15 billion rubles in January–March.

Gas giant Gazprom lost 0.44% despite reporting that its IFRS net profit attributable to shareholders went up 11.4% on the year to 371.623 billion rubles in January–March.

Fertilizer producer PhosAgro lost 1.15% on reports that its IFRS net profit fell 43.9% on the year to 6.878 billion rubles in January–March.

Gold producer Polyus lost 0.8% as its IFRS net profit plummeted 52.4% on the year to 13.789 billion rubles in January–March.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+0.92	221.01	10.698
Gazprom	-0.44	143.26	3.141
Lukoil	+0.53	4246.50	2.935
Aeroflot	+6.07	139.85	2.844
FIVE-GDR	-2.99	1785.00	2.428

(62.6420 rubles – U.S. $1)

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