Stock Markets May 18, 2026 05:20 PM

Russian Equities Close Higher; MOEX Russia Index Advances 1.32% on Oil, Power and Manufacturing Strength

Broad market upturn led by gains in energy-related and industrial segments as volatility indicator eases and commodities edge higher

By Ajmal Hussain MGNT

The MOEX Russia Index finished the session up 1.32% as positive moves in the Oil & Gas, Power and Manufacturing sectors pushed the benchmark higher. Notable winners included TATNEFT, Gazprom and Magnit, while Polyus, AFK Sistema and PhosAgro posted declines. Commodity prices climbed modestly and the Russian volatility gauge fell.

Russian Equities Close Higher; MOEX Russia Index Advances 1.32% on Oil, Power and Manufacturing Strength
MGNT

Key Points

  • MOEX Russia Index closed up 1.32% as gains in the Oil & Gas, Power and Manufacturing sectors lifted the market.
  • Top advancing stocks included TATN (+3.29% to 625.50), GAZP (+2.81% to 123.99) and MGNT (+2.28% to 2,487.50); leading decliners were PLZL (-1.26% to 2,093.20), AFKS (-1.19% to 11.61) and PHOR (-0.85% to 6,652.00).
  • Commodities and volatility: Gold futures rose to $4,570.80/oz, July crude oil reached $102.49/bbl and the RVI fell 4.65% to 21.31, while USD/RUB and EUR/RUB were unchanged.

Russia's main stock gauge closed higher on Monday, driven by advances in energy and industrial names. At the close in Moscow the MOEX Russia Index rose 1.32%.

Market breadth was slightly positive, with 126 issues finishing higher against 118 decliners on the Moscow Stock Exchange; seven stocks ended unchanged.

Top performers on the MOEX Russia Index included:

  • TATNEFT n.a. V.D. Shashin (MCX:TATN) - up 3.29% (+19.90) to 625.50 at the close.
  • Gazprom PJSC (MCX:GAZP) - rose 2.81% (+3.39) to end at 123.99.
  • Magnit PJSC (MCX:MGNT) - up 2.28% (+55.50) to 2,487.50 in late trade.

Lagging names included:

  • Polyus PJSC (MCX:PLZL) - down 1.26% (-26.80) to 2,093.20 at the close.
  • AFK Sistema PJSC (MCX:AFKS) - fell 1.19% (-0.14) to finish at 11.61.
  • PhosAgro PJSC (MCX:PHOR) - declined 0.85% (-57.00) to 6,652.00.

The Russian Volatility Index - RVI, which measures the implied volatility of options on the MOEX Russia Index, moved lower by 4.65% to 21.31.

Commodities showed mixed but generally positive moves during the session. Gold futures for June delivery climbed 0.20% (+8.90) to $4,570.80 a troy ounce. In the energy complex, crude oil for July delivery increased 1.46% (+1.47) to $102.49 a barrel, while the July Brent contract ticked up 0.31% (+0.34) to $109.65 a barrel.

On the currency front, USD/RUB was unchanged at 72.46 and EUR/RUB also held steady at 84.45. Elsewhere, the US Dollar Index Futures was down 0.30%, trading at 98.91.


This session’s moves showed strength in sectors cited as leading the market higher - Oil & Gas, Power and Manufacturing - while a number of large-cap names posted declines. The shift in the implied volatility gauge and the movement in key commodity prices were notable features of the trading day.

Risks

  • Market breadth was mixed despite the benchmark gain, with a nearly even split between advancing and declining issues; this uneven performance introduces uncertainty for investors allocating across sectors such as manufacturing and energy.
  • Movements in commodity prices - crude oil rose to $102.49 a barrel and Brent to $109.65 a barrel, while gold edged higher to $4,570.80 an ounce - represent a source of sensitivity for energy and commodity-linked equities.
  • Implied volatility, as measured by the RVI, fell 4.65% to 21.31, which alters option market conditions and assessments of near-term risk, but does not eliminate the potential for volatility to change.

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