Russian stocks rise on good foreign background, corporate news

MOSCOW, Apr 26 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market edged up on Monday in light of external optimism and positive domestic corporate stories, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index grew 0.38% to 3,610.98 and the RTS increased 0.49% to 1,519.33.

“The MOEX Russia and the RTS indices consolidated in the positive territory at the end of the trading session and hit a record high of 3,613 and a multi-week high of 1,524, respectively, during the day,” Veles Broker analyst Yelena Kozhukhova said.

Positive sentiments prevailed on the foreign bourses, which, along with corporate factors, supported the Russian stock market, she added.

Largest children goods retailer Detsky Mir was among the top gainers adding 3.41% on the news that Gulf Investments, an affiliate of investment company Altus Capital, reached a binding agreement to raise the stake in the retailer to 29.99% from 25%.

Power holding Inter RAO increased 2.02% thanks to a sound operating report for January–March marking a 10% rise in power production.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+0.58	294.9	12.713
Norilsk Nickel	+2.64	26450	10.457
Gazprom	+0.18	233.04	6.307
VTB Bank	+0.72	0.05173	5.262
Lukoil	-0.92	5895	4.644

(75.0893 rubles – U.S. $1)

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