Russian share prices finished the trading day higher on Friday, driven by advances in Mining, Oil & Gas and Power stocks.
At the Moscow close, the MOEX Russia Index increased 0.49% and recorded a new three-month high.
Among individual movers, OK Rusal MKPAO (MCX:RUAL) led the gainers on the MOEX Russia Index, climbing 2.72% - a rise of 1.07 points - to finish at 40.44. Surgutneftegas PJSC Pref (MCX:SNGS_p) added 2.68% or 1.18 points to end the day at 45.47, while MMC NORILSK NICKEL PJSC (MCX:GMKN) rose 2.06% or 3.30 points to close at 165.20.
On the downside, OZON (MCX:OZON) was the weakest of the session, slipping 0.95% or 45.50 points to trade at 4,735.50 at the close. AFK Sistema PJSC (MCX:AFKS) fell 0.83% or 0.12 points to close at 13.85, and T Tekhnologii MKPAO (MCX:T) lost 0.50% or 17.40 points to finish at 3,462.60.
Market breadth was narrowly negative: falling stocks outnumbered advancing ones on the Moscow Stock Exchange by 115 to 111, with 26 issues unchanged.
The Russian Volatility Index - RVI, which reflects implied volatility in options on the MOEX Russia Index, eased 0.63% to 23.77, a fresh one-month low.
Commodity markets showed strength during the session. Gold Futures for April delivery rose 1.60% or 83.26 to $5,277.46 a troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for April delivery gained 3.14% or 2.05 to trade at $67.26 a barrel, while the May Brent contract increased 3.25% or 2.30 to $73.14 a barrel.
Currency pairs involving the ruble moved higher: USD/RUB climbed 0.56% to 77.30, and EUR/RUB rose 0.72% to 91.34. The US Dollar Index Futures was down 0.12% at 97.62 by the close.
The session combined sector-specific strength in mining and energy with reduced implied volatility and broad commodity gains, culminating in a modestly positive finish for the MOEX Russia Index.