Russian stocks rise on Lukoil news, growing foreign markets

MOSCOW, Jan 12 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market increased on Friday after showing marginal dynamics throughout most of the trading session as Lukoil announced a share buyback program and foreign markets increased, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index grew 0.71% to 2,262.38 and the RTS increased 0.99% to 1,261.07.

“The Brent oil blend exceeded the U.S. $69 per barrel level and the news from Lukoil added optimism… as for the rest, the market moods were not so optimistic,” Otkritie Broker analyst Andrei Kochetkov said.

According to Kochetkov, stock market investors are worried over information concerning new U.S. sanctions against Russian individuals and over a possible soon end of a positive trend on the oil market.

InstaForex analyst Igor Kovalyov said that a correction of the Brent price and an unclear external background pressurized Russian assets.

Bogdan Zvarich, an analyst at investment company Freedom Finance, said that positive dynamics of European and U.S. markets in the evening defined the positive trend in Russia.

ALROSA was moderately falling after presenting operating results, Kovalyov said. Revenue of the company from diamond sales decreased 30% in 2017.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Lukoil	+5.98	3908	10.306
Sberbank	-0.52	237.75	7.340
Gazprom	-0.41	143.99	5.268
Rosneft	-0.20	324.35	1.766
Norilsk Nickel	-0.53	11600	1.496

(56.9957 rubles – U.S. $1)

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