Russian stocks rise on gaining foreign markets, oil prices

MOSCOW, Dec 30 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market grew on Thursday, the last trading session of the year, following rising foreign markets and the oil prices, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index grew by 1.23% to 3,787.26, and the RTS index firmed by 0.38% to 1,595.76.

"The Russian stock market grew in the last trading session of the year without noticeable reasons. But in the ruble, there was an opposite situation," Andrei Kochetkov of Otkritie Research said.

"The MOEX Russia Index and the RTS remained with small gains by the end of the main trading session and recovered after daily minimums," Yelena Kozhukhova of Veles Capital, said.

According to Kochetkov, the European markets and the U.S. stock market futures grew. The oil prices eased on the news that China cut the first package of quotas on the oil imports by independent refineries by 11% than at the beginning of 2021, triggering market worries that the country will pressure to liquidate independent fuel producers, he said.

Kozhukhova said that in the afternoon, the oil prices started rising, as the global appetite to risk recovered.

On Friday, only Paris and London will trade shorter trading sessions, while the bulk of the other markets will be closed, Kochetkov said.

Freedom Finance said that PIK Group increased 2.30% after receiving a deal to build 500,000 square meters of housing in the Khabarovsk Region.

Sistema lost 0.37% after selling 8.7% in Segezha Group for U.S. $150 million, the analysts said.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Gazprom	+0.87	343.28	12.767
Sberbank	+0.04	293.62	10.835
Lukoil	+0.83	6570	4.736
Norilsk Nickel	+0.88	22828	3.533
ALROSA	+1.28	122.8	2.314

(73.6514 – U.S. $1)  

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