Russian stocks rise backed by foreign background, oil prices

MOSCOW, Dec 28 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks increased on Friday receiving support from a favorable foreign background and growing oil prices, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index rose 1.32% to 2,358.50 and the RTS increased 0.90% to 1,066.13.

“By the middle of the trading day on Friday, the Russian stock indices were showing positive dynamics, having received support from the foreign background,” Veles Broker analyst Yelena Kozhukhova said.

The ruble slightly strengthened against the dollar and euro, while oil quotations remain in plus and are adding around 1.5–2%, she said.

Trading in Europe is held on an optimistic note.

Aluminum giant UC RUSAL was among growth leaders, adding 3.53% after saying that it appointed Independent Director Jean-Pierre Thomas as the chairman of the board of directors seen part of a deal to lift the U.S. sanctions from the company.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+0.81	186.50	7.419
Lukoil	+1.46	4955.50	3.291
Gazprom	+1.54	153.00	2.173
Rosneft	+1.3	425.95	1.112
Norilsk Nickel	+1.43	13073.00	1.092

(68.8762 rubles – U.S. $1)

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