Russian stocks seen flat on stable oil, ahead of UK referendum

MOSCOW, Jun 23 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks may open flat on Thursday amid stable oil prices of over U.S. $50 per barrel and in anticipation of a U.K. referendum on possible exit from the E.U., analysts said.

“We expect the Russian stock market to open neutrally-positively at the level of 1,900 at the MICEX index, assuming that global oil prices, the behavior of Western stock indicators, the ruble rate dynamics and ongoing events will be the key drivers,” Oleg Shagov, head of investment company Solid’s analytical department, said.

News on the U.K.’s referendum on withdrawal from the E.U. can evoke strong market volatility, he said.

The influence of the key factors that have a significant impact on the behavior of the Russian stock market is moderately positive today at the beginning of the day, Shagov said.

Brent oil futures have again grown over the psychologically important level of $50 per barrel on reports that the U.S. oil reserves significantly decreased, Olma senior analyst Anton Startsev said.

The U.S. stock index futures are increasing, while main Asian stock indicators are not showing single dynamics.

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