Russian stocks rise on US–China trade improvements, high oil price

MOSCOW, Apr 1 (PRIME) – The Russian stocks grew on Monday in line with the international bourses as investors were pleased with the outcome of a recent round of trade negotiations between the U.S. and China, the absence of new sanctions over the Scripal case and high oil prices, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index edged up by 0.97% to 2,521.25 and the RTS increased by 1.35% to 1,214.29.

“On Monday, the Russian stock market grew due to a favorable external background and on the lack of detailed news about sanctions over the Skripal case…If the situation with the Skripal sanctions does not become clear in a few coming days, the Russian market may continue the growth by pricing in the global news flow,” Anastasia Sosnova, analyst at Freedom Finance, said.

Otkritie Broker analyst Andrei Kochetkov said that China published an unexpected growth of industrial activity in March for the first time in four months, while higher oil prices inspired players of the Russian market.

“The Sunday statistics on industrial activity in China was surprising for investors. The PMI index grew to 50.5 in March…while experts expected the March PMI at 49.5. Still, the settlement of a trade dispute between Washington and Beijing is in the focus of the global bourses. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that the latest round of talks in Beijing was constructive, and Chinese news agency Xinhua confirmed that,” Finam analyst Sergei Drozdov said.

Kochetkov also said that the growth of oil prices pushed oil major Rosneft 1.87% higher to 419.70 rubles and gas giant Gazprom 3.29% up to 154.53 rubles.

Multi-industry holding Sistema lost 2.09% to 9.343 rubles. It is likely that investors were displeased with the dividend recommendation of Sistema’s board of directors, which recommended paying 1.062 billion rubles, or 0.11 rubles per common share and 2.2 rubles per global depositary receipt (GDR), in dividends for 2018, Kochetkov said.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+1.53	217.70	11.253
Gazprom	+3.29	154.53	5.659
Lukoil	+0.25	5909.00	2.576
Norilsk Nickel	+2.00	13994.00	2.349
Rosneft	+1.87	419.70	2.106

(64.7347 rubles – U.S. $1)

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