Russian stocks rise amid positive foreign background

MOSCOW, Dec 29 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks increased on Saturday amid a moderately positive foreign background, but investor activity was low ahead of the New Year’s Eve, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index rose 0.46% to 2,369.33 and the RTS increased 0.24% to 1,068.72.

In 2018, the MOEX Russia Index increased 12.3%, while the RTS index fell 7.42%.

Foreign stock floors were closed on Saturday. On Friday, trading in Europe closed on an optimistic note, while trading in the U.S. closed with mixed dynamics of main indices. Oil prices grew on Friday after a recent decline.

Oil pipeline monopoly Transneft’s preferred shares and power producer Mosenergo were among growth leaders, adding 4.62% and 3.7%, respectively.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	-0.11	186.30	1.706
Gazprom	+0.33	153.50	0.445
Rosneft	+1.54	432.50	0.403
Mosenergo	+3.7	2074.00	0.349
Lukoil	+0.84	4997.00	0.286

(69.5218 rubles – U.S. $1)

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