Stock Markets March 13, 2026

Moscow shares slip as oil, manufacturing and power sectors weigh on MOEX

MOEX Russia Index ends marginally lower as select energy and industrial names diverge; oil and currency moves notable

By Ajmal Hussain UPRO
Moscow shares slip as oil, manufacturing and power sectors weigh on MOEX
UPRO

The MOEX Russia Index closed modestly lower, falling 0.07% as declines in the Oil & Gas, Manufacturing and Power sectors pressured the market. Market breadth was mixed with a slightly greater number of gainers than losers. Key commodity and currency moves included a sharp rise in crude oil prices and a notable strengthening of the US dollar against the ruble.

Key Points

  • The MOEX Russia Index closed down 0.07% as losses in the Oil & Gas, Manufacturing and Power sectors pressured the market.
  • Market breadth was mixed with 121 advancing stocks, 110 declining and 22 unchanged on the Moscow Stock Exchange.
  • Commodities and currency moves were notable: April crude rose to $99.31 a barrel, May Brent traded at $103.69, gold fell to $5,023.10 a troy ounce, USD/RUB strengthened to 80.77.

Russia's equity market finished the day with a small net loss on Friday, with sector-level weakness in Oil & Gas, Manufacturing and Power contributing to the downward pressure on the MOEX Russia Index.

At the close of trade in Moscow, the MOEX Russia Index fell 0.07%.

Among individual stocks, OZON (MCX:OZON) was the session's top performer on the index, gaining 1.21% or 55.00 points to finish at 4,593.50. Steelmaker Severstal PJSC (MCX:CHMF) added 0.89% or 8.20 points to end at 927.80, while power producer Unipro PJSC (MCX:UPRO) rose 0.56% or 0.01 points to 1.54 by the close.

On the downside, NOVATEK PJSC (MCX:NVTK) led losses, sliding 1.40% or 19.70 points to close at 1,384.30. OK Rusal MKPAO (MCX:RUAL) declined 1.31% or 0.59 points to 44.37, and PIK SHb PJSC (MCX:PIKK) fell 1.07% or 5.10 points to finish at 469.70.

Market breadth on the Moscow Stock Exchange was slightly positive by count, with 121 stocks advancing, 110 declining and 22 ending unchanged.

The Russian Volatility Index - RVI, which tracks implied volatility in options tied to the MOEX Russia Index, moved higher by 3.20% to 22.28; the reading is noted in the session as a new 52-week low.

Commodities and rates showed meaningful moves. Gold Futures for April delivery were down 2.00% or 102.70 to $5,023.10 a troy ounce. Crude oil for April delivery climbed 3.74% or 3.58 to $99.31 a barrel, while the May Brent contract increased 3.22% or 3.23 to trade at $103.69 a barrel.

Currency markets saw the ruble move weaker against the dollar and broadly steady versus the euro. USD/RUB rose 1.61% to 80.77, and EUR/RUB was up 0.01% to 91.45. The US Dollar Index Futures strengthened 0.75% to 100.50.

The session highlights a market environment where sector-specific declines were sufficient to nudge the headline index into negative territory, even as a number of individual stocks posted gains. Movements in commodities and currency pairs accompanied the equity moves, reflecting cross-market dynamics present during the trading day.

Risks

  • Sector weakness in Oil & Gas, Manufacturing and Power could continue to drag on equity performance in those industries.
  • Volatility and cross-market moves - including the rise in crude oil and shifts in currency pairs - may increase uncertainty for exporters and importers tied to commodity prices.
  • A stronger US dollar versus the ruble, reflected in a 1.61% move in USD/RUB, can create headwinds for domestic-currency valuations of some assets.

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