Russian stocks mixed on Omicron’s impact, geopolitical tensions

MOSCOW, Jan 10 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market showed mixed dynamics on Monday, affected by global investors’ nervousness over geopolitics and epidemiological situation, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index fell by 0.39% to 3,738.68, and the RTS index rose by 1.30% to 1,565.31.

Trading platforms around the globe showed controversial dynamics today, as the U.S. and European indices traded in the red zone, while the Asian platforms closed with an increase, Alexandra Ovchinnikova of Sber Asset Management said.

Global and local investors were playing safe, pressured by possible effects of a new COVID-19 surge reaching its peak, as well as crises in Kazakhstan and Ukraine on top of the US–Russia tensions, Ovchinnikova said.

According to Alexei Golovinov of PSB Bank, today’s slight correction in crude oil prices also contributed to investors’ pessimistic sentiment, consequently leading to a decrease in shares of oil and gas giants. The Russian market is very sensitive to negative external factors at the moment, so any significant worsening of the external background may entail a wave of shares sale-offs, Golovinov said.

As Yelena Kozhukhova, analyst at Veles Capital, said, the Russian stocks were echoing a global trend for flight from risks, and absence of tangible results in the US–Russia dialogue only added insult to injury.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	-1.62 %	289.15	16.739
Gazprom	-1.4 %	341.3	14.954
Lukoil	-0.4 %	6672	7.302
Norilsk Nickel	+0.82 %	23470	6.716
Yandex	-3.79 %	4066.6	4.613

(74.2926 – U.S. $1)

End