Russian stocks to rise at opening amid improved external climate

MOSCOW, Feb 18 (PRIME) -- The Russian stock market may open insignificantly higher and consolidated later on Monday thanks to a moderately positive foreign background, analysts said.

“We expect the MOEX Russia Index to open 0.2–0.3% higher at around 2,495… and to consolidate within a 2,490–2,500 range later in the day as the crude futures have stopped growing,” Vitaly Manzhos, senior risk manager at investment company Algo Capital, said.

The global investor activity is expected to be low due to President Day celebration in the U.S. so the Russian stock market is likely to consolidate in the second part of the day as well, he added.

Olma senior analyst Anton Startsev said that the RTS index may edge up at the opening amid progress of trade negotiations between China and the U.S.

The major U.S. indices futures are seen slightly higher and Asian market are adding a significant 2%.

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