Russian stocks seen flat as EU ministers ready new sanctions

MOSCOW, Dec 12 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market will likely open with marginal changes on Monday ahead of an E.U. foreign ministers’ meeting to discuss new sanctions, analysts said.

"The current state of external background can be characterized as mixed, or unclear. It creates conditions for opening of the MOEX Russia Index with small changes," Vitaly Manzhos, senior risk manager at investment company Algo Capital, said.

“We should mention a new E.C. signal to boost sanctions against the Russian Federation among the important foreign news. The European Council’s foreign ministers may approve a new set of restrictive measures against Russia as early as today.”

He also said that First Deputy Chairman of the International Committee of the Federation Council Vladimir Dzhabarov confirmed rumors that Russia is buying a “shadow” tanker fleet to deliver oil bypassing santions.

The U.S. stocks futures rose in the morning by 0.7–0.9%, the Brent futures grew by 0.6%, while the gold futures lost 0.7%. China's Shanghai Composite eased by 0.7%, and Japan's Nikkei225 lost 0.3%.

Georgy Vashchenko, deputy director of the research department of Freedom Finance Global, said that the metals sector may become the gain leader.

End