Russian stocks mixed on favorable background, falling oil

MOSCOW, Sep 20 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks closed mixed on Thursday after growing the entire day amid a favorable foreign background and falling oil prices, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index fell 0.15% to 2,400.89, and the RTS increased 0.58% to 1,140.65.

“The Russian stock indices continued growth on Thursday, having deviated from intraday highs only in the second half of the session. Players on the increase do not want to give up their positions, but such a long short-term growth increases the probability of correction when negative factors appear,” Veles Broker analyst Yelena Kozhukhova said.

The ruble remained in plus against the dollar by the evening and slightly depreciated against the euro. Trading in the U.S. started with growth of main indices, and optimistic moods were seen on European floors. Oil quotations switched to a decline in the evening and were losing around 0.2–0.7%.

Metals and mining company Mechel and Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) were among growth leaders, having increased by 10.36% and 2.86%, respectively.

Fertilizer maker Uralkali was among outsiders, having closed 6.39% lower.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	-1.41	191.16	25.908
Gazprom	-1.93	154.35	8.214
Lukoil	-0.38	4701.00	7.901
Novatek	+1.85	1135.90	4.005
Norilsk Nickel	+0.46	11705.00	3.260

(67.0098 rubles – U.S. $1)

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