Russian stocks mixed as cbank raises key rate, ruble grows

MOSCOW, Oct 27 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market ended the main trading with mixed dynamics on Friday amid the central bank’s decision to increase the key rate to 15%, the strengthening ruble and profit taking, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index rose 0.01% to 3,224.18 and the RTS decreased 0.53% to 1,079.07.

“The Russian stock market remained under restrained downward pressure by the end of the main trades on Friday due to the ruble dynamics and continued profit taking by many issuers,” Veles Broker analyst Yelena Kozhukhova said.

The largest growth by the end of the session was shown by shares of Rosseti (+5.52%), Mechel (+2.62) and Magnit (+1.86).

Magnit's shares were supported by the news about its intention to buy 33% in the largest Far Eastern retailer Samberi and to get an option for further buyout of the remaining part of the company, Kozhukhova said.

Otkritie Research analyst Andrei Kochetkov said that the market was rising in the first half of the day until the central bank made a decision on the rate. The regulator shocked the market by raising it by 200 basis points at once, he also said.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+0.04	270.01	12.135
Lukoil	+0.23	745	11.169
Mechel	+2.62	285	10.451
Yandex	-0.24	2676	5.897
VTB Bank	-0.88	0.025325	3.321

(93.5616 rubles – U.S. $1)

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