Russian stocks seen flat on low activity ahead of holidays

MOSCOW, Dec 26 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks may open flat on Tuesday amid a neutral background and low investor activity ahead of the New Year holidays, analysts said.

“We expect the Russian stock market to open around 2,105 points at the MOEX Russia Index, assuming that this stock indicator will continue fluctuations around current levels reacting to changes of the slightly saturated pre-New Year foreign background, and as a result market participants’ activity will remain at a reduced level,” Oleg Shagov, head of the investment company Solid’s research department, said.

Vitaly Manzhos, a senior risk manager at investment company Nord Capital, also expects the Russian stock market to open neutrally at around 2,105 points at the MOEX Russia Index.

The ultimate influence of key external factors that have a significant impact on the Russian financial market is close to neutral today, Shagov said.

Brent oil futures are fluctuating around U.S. $65.2 per barrel on the back of approaching expiration and flow of trade activity into the March contracts.

The leading U.S. stock index futures are not changing much, the main European stock floors are closed for holidays, and main Asian stock indicators are not showing single dynamics.

End