Russian equities closed the session with a mixed profile, leaving the MOEX Russia Index unchanged at the end of trading in Moscow.
Although the headline index recorded no net move - 0.00% - individual names saw a range of outcomes across sectors. Energy and fertilizer-linked stocks were among the session's top performers, while metals and transportation shares were among the laggards.
Top performers
- Surgutneftegas PJSC Pref (MCX:SNGS_p) led gains, rising 1.22% or 0.57 points to close at 47.74.
- PhosAgro PJSC (MCX:PHOR) added 0.92% or 67.00 points to finish at 7,326.00.
- Rosneft PJSC (MCX:ROSN) advanced 0.81% or 4.05 points to end the session at 505.15.
Largest decliners
- OK Rusal MKPAO (MCX:RUAL) fell 0.21% or 0.10 points to close at 44.35.
- Aeroflot PJSC (MCX:AFLT) slipped 0.21% or 0.11 points to finish at 51.30.
- Severstal PJSC (MCX:CHMF) declined 0.13% or 1.20 points to end at 926.60.
Breadth on the Moscow Stock Exchange was tilted toward advancing names, with 167 stocks rising versus 52 declining, and 25 ending unchanged.
Volatility and commodities
The Russian Volatility Index - RVI, which gauges implied volatility of options on the MOEX Russia Index, was unchanged at 21.59 and recorded a new 52-week low.
Commodity price moves were notable in the session. Gold Futures for April delivery declined 1.25% or 64.10 to $5,061.70 a troy ounce. Crude oil for April delivery rose 3.11% or 2.98 to $98.71 a barrel, while the May Brent oil contract increased 2.67% or 2.68 to trade at $103.14 a barrel.
FX and dollar strength
Currency flows showed the ruble weakening against the dollar and holding relatively steady versus the euro. USD/RUB rose 0.75% to 80.10, while EUR/RUB fell 0.08% to 91.45. The US Dollar Index Futures was up 0.61% at 100.36.
Overall, the session left the benchmark unmoved, while select energy and materials names outperformed and several industrial and transport names lagged amid commodity and currency moves. The RVI at a 52-week low points to subdued implied volatility in options pricing despite the mixed equity outcomes.