Russian stocks to slip on mixed environment, Ukraine uncertainty

MOSCOW, Mar 11 (PRIME) -- Russian stocks may decrease at Tuesday opening amid mixed external environment, uncertainty over the Ukrainian crisis, and the risk of economic sanctions against Russia for a possible military interference and annexation of Crimea, analysts said.

The Russian trading session may start in a slightly negative key, with the pressure of sales remaining on the domestic stock market amid a mixed external environment, Promsvyazbank senior analyst Oleg Shagov said.

Asian stocks are trading mostly higher prior to the opening in Russia, while futures on the U.S. indices are flat, and Brent oil prices are wavering around U.S. $108 per barrel.

Nord Capital said in a research note that the MICEX index may open with a 0.5% decrease in the range of 1,330–1,335 points. The closest support levels are expected at 1,320 and 1,300 points, and the closest resistance levels are expected at 1,350 and 1,360 points.

Russian investors may try to follow foreign stock indices’ negative dynamics of Monday, when domestic stock exchanges were closed for a holiday, based on a release of weak macroeconomic data by China, Andrei Shenk, a senior analyst in Investcafe said.

But the impact of external events on the Russian market will remain dim, as the dominant part here is still being played by the Crimea crisis, Shenk said.

“Overall, trading dynamics on the domestic stock floors will depend on how investors will interpret current developments in Ukraine and eatimate risks of economic sanctions to be imposed against Russia,” Shenk said. The risk of sanctions will exert pressure on investors’ mood this week until the referendum in Crimea, scheduled for Sunday.

The news flow of the day includes releases of Germany’s trade balance, Italy’s GDP, and the U.K.’ industrial output.

Ukraine’s ousted President Viktor Yanukovich is expected to deliver a speech.

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