Russian stocks rise on high oil prices, robust foreign markets

MOSCOW, May 6 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market increased on Thursday on the back of high oil prices and positive signals from the foreign stock markets, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index grew by 0.40% to 3,658.27, and the RTS Index increased by 0.97% to 1,550.64.

"The Russian stock market continued rising on Thursday, May 6, and the MOEX Russia Index hit a new all-time high anew. The oil prices staying high, and the European and Asian markets sending positive signals in general were good for the shares," Finam analyst Igor Dodonov said.

"Expectations of acceleration of the global economy recovery, supported by removal of some quarantine restrictions in the U.S. and Europe, improve the global investor mood."

The Brent futures for July decreased by 0.39% to U.S. $68.69 and the June futures for WTI decreased by 0.44% to $65.34 after India said it will introduce a lockdown, and Saudi Aramco reduced the June prices for the consumers in Asia and Europe.

Freedom Finance analyst Sergei Pigarev said that the global markets rose after 75% of companies listed with the S&P 500 presented their January–March reports with the net profit of 87% of them exceeding the consensus forecasts.

Dodonov said that Russia's Unipro fell 1.46% after reporting a decrease of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) by 9.2% in January–March.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+2.21	312.76	16.875
Gazprom	+1.33	240.65	10.602
Norilsk Nickel	+0.81	26862	7.054
Lukoil	-0.67	6081	5.873
Polymetal	0	1636	3.417

(74.8617 – U.S. $1)

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