Russian stocks rise in line with energy prices, foreign bourses

MOSCOW, Feb 5 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market edged up on Friday supported by stronger oil prices and positive dynamics of Western bourses, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index grew 0.61% to 3,392.73 and the RTS increased 2.07% to 1,431.76.

“The Russian stock market managed to continue the upward trend in light of a positive global background. The energy market with the Brent oil price hitting new 2021 highs and consolidating above U.S. $59 per barrel again was the main supporter of locals stocks along with the Western bourses’ dynamics,” senior analyst at Promsvyazbank Bogdan Zvarich said.

European markets were seen mixed in the evening, and the core U.S. benchmarks Dow Jones and S&P500 added 0.2% in the first 30 minutes of trading, he added.

Veles Broker analyst Yelena Kozhukhova said that the RTS index’s dynamics were mainly backed by growth of the ruble, and the MOEX Russia Index rose very modestly so the market showed no signals of a further increase.

Kozhukhova also said that metals giant Norilsk Nickel was among the biggest losers falling 1.93% on the court’s decision to oblige the company to pay 146.2 billion rubles for a spill of fuel in 2020.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+0.53	271.55	18.470
Norilsk Nickel	-1.93	25270	14.439
Gazprom	+0.94	221.86	8.713
Lukoil	+0.01	5700	6.074
Rosneft	+0.75	492.85	3.625

(75.7293 rubles – U.S. $1)

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