Russian stocks rise on rising oil, positive environment

MOSCOW, Apr 24 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks grew on Friday as the price for oil, the country’s core export, rose to its 2015 highs, and a general positive environment with all foreign bourses increasing, analysts said.

The MICEX rose 1.21% to 1,682.70 and RTS increased 0.88% to 1,037.52.

“The growth of the MICEX index was supported by rising oil and a falling ruble. Under the current conditions, companies of the oil and gas sector are naturally among the growth leaders. Besides technical factors, a positive external background should also be mentioned: all main European stock indices are in the green zone,” Timur Nigmatullin, analyst at Finam, said.

The Emerging Portfolio Fund Research data said it registered a net inflow of U.S. $156 million in the week between April 16 and Wednesday after a $98.8 million inflow a week earlier.

“Thus, positive dynamics has been registered for the third week in a row, and even the rising ruble…could not stop the inflow of funds. It is evident that the most difficult phase of the crisis is over, and stabilization of the situation can be seen in the future,” Alexander Yegorov, analyst at TeleTrade, said.

Fertilizer maker Uralkali lost 2.22% to 154.50 rubles as the company’s board of directors recommended paying no final dividends for 2014 and announced a $1.5 billion share buyback to be carried out in April–June as an alternative to the dividends.

Below are the MICEX’ five most active stocks on Friday:

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	-0.07	75.75	11.841
Gazprom	+2.49	153.89	5.459
Lukoil	+2.04	2645.00	3.164
Norilsk Nickel	+1.98	9719.00	2.614
Surgutneftegas prefs	+1.25	39.79	2.439

(51.6011 rubles – U.S. $1)

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