Russian stocks seen flat on good China stats, sanctions threat

MOSCOW, Jul 15 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market will likely open with marginal changes on Monday because a positive impact on the developing markets of robust Chinese statistics will be offset by the risk of new U.S. sanctions against Russia, analysts said.

“Consolidation near the level of 1,400 of the RTS index can continue in the short term. Relatively strong retail sales data from China published today in the morning have supported demand on the developing markets in general but a limiting factor of the sanction risks persists for the Russian securities,” Olma senior analyst Anton Startsev said.

The U.S. House of Representatives approved last week the prohibition to buy the Russian state debt, and the Senate might also support the measure.

Alor Broker analyst Alexei Antonov said that the growth of U.S. stock market futures will likely reverse a negative trend in Russia.

According to Solid, the end of the Russian dividend season will also contribute to a negative trend.

Solid said that the start of the U.S. reporting season will set the dynamics on the markets around the globe this week.

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