Russian stocks mixed amid stronger ruble, falling global floors

MOSCOW, Dec 3 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks closed mixed on Thursday, with MOEX Russia Index falling on lack of growth drivers and the RTS rising on the ruble’s strengthening, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index fell 0.84% to 3,162.67 and the RTS increased 0.30% to 1,339.41.

“The external background for the Russian market is neutral today. Key U.S. indices are holding sideways amid expectations of a basic stimulus package in the Congress. Europe and Asia are mostly in the red today,” Freedom Finance analyst Valery Yemelyanov said.

The oil price managed to consolidate above U.S. $48 per barrel, he added.

Safmar group of tycoon Mikhail Gutseriyev was among growth leaders, adding 4.33% without fundamental reasons, Yemelyanov said.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	-0.05	263.94	15.181
Lukoil	-2.3	5048.00	9.542
Norilsk Nickel	+1.07	23152.00	7.838
Gazprom	-0.63	186.04	6.146
NLMK	-1.83	191.20	4.938

(75.6151 rubles – U.S. $1)

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