Russia's stock market ended the trading session in positive territory on Thursday, with the MOEX Russia Index advancing 0.65% at the close in Moscow. Gains were concentrated in the Mining, Oil & Gas and Power sectors, which led the index higher.
Among individual names, Gazprom PJSC (MCX:GAZP) was the top performer on the MOEX Russia Index, finishing up 1.80% - a rise of 2.14 points - to 121.18. AK ALROSA PJSC (MCX:ALRS) added 1.59%, or 0.44 points, closing at 28.19. Polyus PJSC (MCX:PLZL) also recorded a notable gain, increasing 1.43% or 29.60 points to end the session at 2,098.80.
On the downside, VK Company Ltd (MCX:VKCO) was the weakest large-cap name, slipping 2.35% or 5.80 points to finish at 240.70. Bank VTB PJSC (MCX:VTBR) declined 1.71%, losing 1.59 points to close at 91.27. AFK Sistema PJSC (MCX:AFKS) fell 1.24% or 0.14 points to 11.43.
Market breadth on the Moscow Stock Exchange showed more falling issues than rising ones, with 130 stocks down versus 111 advancing. Ten issues ended unchanged.
Two stocks registered notable low readings: shares of VK Company Ltd fell to 52-week lows, closing at 240.70 after the 2.35% decline. AFK Sistema PJSC moved to three-year lows, ending the day at 11.43 following a 1.24% drop.
Measures of market uncertainty nudged higher. The Russian Volatility Index - RVI, which tracks implied volatility for MOEX Russia Index options, rose 1.05% to 23.06.
Commodities trading saw mixed moves that accompanied equity action. Gold futures for June delivery increased 1.63%, or $74.50, to trade at $4,636.00 a troy ounce. In energy markets, June delivery crude oil fell 1.38% or $1.47 to $105.41 a barrel, while the July Brent contract eased 0.22% or $0.25 to $110.89 a barrel.
In foreign exchange, the ruble was unchanged against major currencies at the close; USD/RUB was flat at 74.88 and EUR/RUB remained unchanged at 87.93.
Outside of local FX, US Dollar Index Futures were weaker, down 0.89% at 97.95 by the end of the session.
Market takeaway: The session closed with modest gains for the MOEX Russia Index, fueled by advances in key commodity-linked and power names, while breadth and select low readings suggest mixed investor positioning heading into the next session.