Russian stocks rise on positive environment, corporate factors

MOSCOW, Apr 14 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market closed higher on Wednesday thanks to a positive external background, corporate and geopolitical factors, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index grew 1.43% to 3,576.89 and the RTS increased 2.16% to 1,490.00.

“The MOEX Russia and the RTS indices remained confidently in the positive territory, but the ruble-denominated benchmark stayed below April’s highest of 3,576, and the U.S. dollar-denominated index did not test the 1,500 mark,” Veles Broker analyst Yelena Kozhukhova said.

The sentiment on the global stock exchanges was optimistic, which, along with corporate and geopolitical factors, encouraged more active domestic purchases, she added.

Most producers of both non-ferrous and precious metals decreased in correction following previous days’ rise. Norilsk Nickel lost 1.62% and Polymetal International fell 1.20%.

Gas giant Gazprom was among the top gainers growing 3.51% after it released the board of directors’ recommendation to pay 12.55 rubles per share, or 50% of the IFRS net profit, in dividends for 2020.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Gazprom	+3.51	235.99	20.505
Sberbank	+0.12	288.3	16.295
Yandex	+1.66	4676.4	11.872
Norilsk Nickel	-1.62	24972	9.399
Lukoil	+1.86	6157	7.592

(77.2535 rubles – U.S. $1)

End