Russian stocks rise supported by oil prices, optimistic sentiments

MOSCOW, Oct 20 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market grew on Thursday thanks to improved sentiments on the global exchanges and a rise in crude oil prices, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index grew 2.38% to 2,025.51 and the RTS increased 3.10% to 1,041.56.

“The Russian stock market has recovered after yesterday’s sales, the market participants started purchases in light of positive sentiments on external stock exchanges and growth in crude prices,” PSB senior analyst Vladimir Lyashchuk said.

The Brent oil price of above U.S. $93 per barrel supported local energy stocks, he added.

The shares of oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft were additionally backed by a dividend payment idea. Independent gas producer Novatek broke up through the 1,000 rubles per share line on expectations that the company will continue to raise gas exports.

Management company Alfa-Capital’s senior trader Vladislav Silayev said that mobile operator MTS’s stocks increased ahead of a meeting of the company’s board of directors.

He added that vodka producer and alcoholic drinks importer Beluga Group surged thanks to a new dividend policy that envisages paying at least 50% of the IFRS consolidated net profit in dividends.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+3.27	116.06	10.707
Lukoil	+4.13	4378	3.988
Polyus	+5.38	5968	2.952
Gazprom	-0.43	160.6	2.109
TCS Group	-4.1	2502	1.595

(61.5905 rubles – U.S. $1)

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