Russia's equity market closed modestly lower on Wednesday, with losses concentrated in the Power, Mining and Oil & Gas sectors contributing to a retreat in the main benchmark.
At the close in Moscow, the MOEX Russia Index declined 0.16%.
The session's top performers on the MOEX Russia Index included Moskovskaya Birzha PJSC (MCX:MOEX), which gained 1.61% or 2.71 points to finish at 170.60. Moskovskiy Kreditnyi Bank PAO (MCX:CBOM) added 1.26% or 0.11 points to close at 8.59, while Aeroflot PJSC (MCX:AFLT) rose 1.04% or 0.41 points to end trading at 39.91.
On the downside, PIK SHb PJSC (MCX:PIKK) recorded the largest drop, falling 5.57% or 31.60 points to close at 536.10. TATNEFT n.a. V.D. Shashin Pref (MCX:TATN_p) declined 3.12% or 14.90 points to finish at 462.00, and TATNEFT n.a. V.D. Shashin (MCX:TATN) was down 2.85% or 14.40 points to 490.80.
Market breadth on the Moscow Stock Exchange was tilted toward declines, with 126 stocks falling versus 117 advancers and 7 stocks finishing unchanged.
Volatility, as measured by the Russian Volatility Index - RVI, eased during the session, moving down 7.01% to 37.17. This measure reflects the implied volatility of options on the MOEX Russia Index.
Commodities showed mixed moves. Gold Futures for August delivery rose 0.15% or 6.10 to $4,044.60 a troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for August delivery fell 2.03% or 1.41 to $68.09 a barrel, and the September Brent oil contract slipped 0.06% or 0.04 to trade at $71.15 a barrel.
Currency crosses were unchanged during the session: USD/RUB held flat at 77.51 and EUR/RUB was unchanged at 88.17. The US Dollar Index Futures was trading up 0.24% at 101.20.
Summary of key session facts:
- MOEX Russia Index -0.16% at close.
- Top risers: MOEX +1.61% to 170.60, CBOM +1.26% to 8.59, AFLT +1.04% to 39.91.
- Largest decliners: PIKK -5.57% to 536.10, TATN_p -3.12% to 462.00, TATN -2.85% to 490.80.
- RVI down 7.01% to 37.17; Gold up, crude oil down.