Russia's equity benchmark moved lower at the close on Thursday, pressured by sectoral declines in Oil & Gas, Mining and Manufacturing. At the close in Moscow the MOEX Russia Index fell 0.74% to register a new 3-months low.
Advancers were limited across the market. ROSSETI PJSC (MCX:FEES) was recorded among the session's top performers, showing an unchanged 2.23% or 0.00 points to trade at 0.07 at the close. Magnitogorskiy Metallurgicheskiy Kombinat PAO (MCX:MAGN) climbed 1.51% or 0.37 points to finish at 24.94, while GMK Noril'skiy Nikel' PAO (MCX:GMKN) gained 0.67% or 0.90 points to end the day at 128.90.
On the downside, United Company Rusal IPJSC (MCX:RUAL) fell 3.63% or 1.41 points to close at 37.47. Polyus PJSC (MCX:PLZL) declined 2.55% or 56.00 points to end at 2,139.00, and VK Company Ltd (MCX:VKCO) was down 2.22% or 5.35 points to 236.10.
Market breadth showed more sellers than buyers on the Moscow Stock Exchange, with falling stocks outnumbering advancing ones by 165 to 73, and 10 issues finishing unchanged.
Implied volatility on the index rose modestly. The Russian Volatility Index - RVI, which reflects the implied volatility of MOEX Russia Index options, was up 0.36% to 25.41.
Commodities and currency moves accompanied the equity action. Gold Futures for June delivery were up 0.04% or 1.70 to $4,696.00 a troy ounce. In energy markets, Crude oil for delivery in June rose 2.71% or 2.58 to hit $97.66 a barrel, while the July Brent oil contract was higher by 0.43% or 0.44 to trade at $103.74 a barrel.
FX rates on the Moscow market were stable at the close: USD/RUB was unchanged 0.00% to 74.43, while EUR/RUB was unchanged 0.00% to 87.56. The US Dollar Index Futures was up 0.28% at 98.15.
Market snapshot
- MOEX Russia Index -0.74% to a new 3-months low
- RVI +0.36% to 25.41
- Gold Futures (June) +0.04% to $4,696.00 per troy ounce
- Crude oil (June delivery) +2.71% to $97.66 per barrel; Brent (July) +0.43% to $103.74
- USD/RUB unchanged at 74.43; EUR/RUB unchanged at 87.56
Note: The session's top and bottom performers are listed using their MCX tickers and reported percentage and point moves at the close.