Russian stocks slightly grow on neutral background, lack of news

MOSCOW, Mar 28 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks moderately increased on Thursday amid a neutral foreign background and a lack of strong drivers, analysts said.

The MOEX Russia Index rose 0.20% to 2,492.40 and the RTS increased 0.01% to 1,207.31.

“On Thursday, the Russian stock market consolidated around the levels reached the day before in the absence of news,” Freedom Finance analyst Anastasia Sosnova said.

The foreign background was neutral, she said. Asian markets closed with mixed dynamics. European floors are finishing trading in the green zone. The U.S. stock exchanges are growing at the beginning of the trading session.

Steel producers Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK) and Severstal were among growth leaders, adding 1.73% and 2.17%, respectively. Oil company Tatneft grew 1.16%.

Metals giant Norilsk Nickel and aluminum giant UC RUSAL were among outsiders, losing 3.16% and 1.29%, respectively.

Global depositary receipts (GDRs) of En+ Group dropped 7.19% after the board of directors recommended paying no dividends for 2018.

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

Company	Change, %	Last price, rbl	Trading volume, bln rbl
Sberbank	+0.45	215.07	10.217
Norilsk Nickel	-3.16	13436.00	5.125
Lukoil	+0.51	5880.00	3.790
Gazprom	+0.33	149.98	2.458
MTS	-0.7	255.95	0.897

(64.5925 rubles – U.S. $1)

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