Russian stocks rise backed by growth of US floors

MOSCOW, Jan 13 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks moderately grew on Monday supported by a positive opening of the U.S. stock floors, analysts said.  

The MOEX Russia Index rose 0.90% to 3,151.69 and the RTS increased 0.31% to 1,619.73.

“The MOEX Russia Index and RTS tried to stay in positive territory at the end of the session, having received an impetus for growth after the positive opening of the U.S. exchanges. Downward correction attempts observed during the day did not continue,” Veles Capital analyst Yelena Kozhukhova said.

Otkritie Broker analyst Andrei Kochetkov said the stock market continues to be in consolidation mode. “While there are no obvious reasons for growth, there are no reasons for correction as well,” he said.

Trading in the U.S. started with growth of three main indices, which were adding around 0.1–0.4% by the end of the Russian trading session. This week, the U.S. and China are expected to sign the first stage of a trade deal, after which the sides will start talks on the second stage.

In Europe, moderately negative moods prevailed on stock floors after unfavorable signals about the state of the U.K. economy.  

Oil prices accelerated the pace of decline by the end of the day and were losing around 1.5%.

Oil major Gazprom Neft and power holding Inter RAO were among growth leaders, adding 4.14% and 6.14%, respectively, without no apparent fundamental reasons, Kozhukhova said.

Fertilizer producer PhosAgro added 1.41% after reporting that its production grew 5.6% to 9.5 million tonnes in 2019, under preliminary data.

Gas giant Gazprom fell 0.16% as the market has lost confidence in problem-free completion of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline project, Kochetkov said. The costs of its construction will clearly increase, and the commissioning deadlines will be shifted to the second quarter or a longer period, he added.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Gazprom	-0.16	251.50	10.339
Sberbank	+1.63	262.40	6.719
Norilsk Nickel	+2.43	20362.00	4.738
Lukoil	+0.62	6530.00	3.761
ALROSA	+2.9	91.89	2.383

(61.2632 rubles – U.S. $1)

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