Russian stocks rise on favorable environment, high oil prices

MOSCOW, Sep 12 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market grew on Monday as a favorable external background and the growth of oil prices supported the national market, while the return of some foreign investors to the bourse did not result in sales, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index rose 0.97% to 2,449.65 and the RTS increased 1.42% to 1,280.67.

“The Russian stock market grew firmly on Monday as it received support from a favorable condition that remained on the foreign bourses and from a positive dynamics of the prices for oil and industrial metals. Besides, a statement of President Vladimir Putin that the country’s economy switched into the growth trajectory after a stabilization created some positive sentiment as well,” Igor Dodonov, analyst at investment company Finam, said.

Alexei Golovinov, leading analyst at Promsvyazbank, said that Monday was the first day when the foreign investors from the friendly countries obtained access to the Moscow Exchange trade.

“The list of securities accessible for them was narrowed after the Moscow Exchange expanded the list of shares inaccessible for foreign investors to 53. That was the likely reason for the MOEX Russia Index managing to grow today without any problems,” Golovinov said.

Veles Capital’s analyst Yelena Kozhukhova said that the return of foreign investors to trade did not have a negative impact on the market.

The securities of internet company VK gained 6.68% to 466.20 rubles as the company closed the sale of delivery service Delivery Club to internet giant Yandex in exchange for infotainment service Zen and news aggregator News, Kozhukhova said.

Real estate developers LSR Group and Etalon Group grew by 5.61% to 632 rubles and 2.62% to 68.98 rubles, respectively, as investors expect the central bank to reduce the key rate to 7.5% from 8% on Friday, which should improve the affordability of mortgage loans, she said.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Gazprom	-0.96	242.98	7.284
Sberbank	-0.11	138.00	6.953
Lukoil	+1.74	4548.00	2.735
Yandex	+3.01	2156.00	1.538
Novatek	+2.43	1188.20	1.381

(60.4696 rubles – U.S. $1)

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