Russian stocks mixed on new EU sanctions, unchanged key rate

MOSCOW, Dec 16 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market closed mixed on Friday amid no negative reaction to the new anti-Russian sanctions of the E.U. and a positive effect from the central bank’s decision to keep the key rate unchanged, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index rose 0.28% to 2,132.75 and the RTS decreased 0.32% to 1,038.63.

“By the end of the main session the Russian stock market retreated from its lows and was inclined to restore positions thanks to a rise in certain stocks and the absence of a negative reaction to the 9th package of the E.U. sanctions,” Veles Broker analyst Yelena Kozhukhova said.

According to Freedom Finance Global’s Senior Analyst Natalya Milchakova, the central bank’s decision to retain the key rate, attributed to the fact that inflation is under control, and to reiterate its inflation forecast for 2023 in the 5–7% range were quite a positive signal for the stock market.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+0.88	135.73	4.067
Lukoil	+1.42	4585	2.452
Gazprom	+0.19	160.61	1.983
Rosseti Lenenergo	-3.51	9.61	1.886
Polyus	+1.03	7540	1.558

(64.3015 rubles – U.S. $1)

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