Russian equities closed modestly lower on Thursday, with the MOEX Russia Index down 0.21% at the end of the Moscow session as sector-level weakness in Mining, Manufacturing and Oil & Gas pressured the market.
By the close, falling stocks outnumbered advancing ones on the Moscow Stock Exchange by 145 to 91, while 14 issues finished unchanged.
Winners and losers
At the top of the MOEX Russia Index, OZON (MCX:OZON) led gainers, finishing the session up 2.15% or 101.50 points at 4,818.00. The online retailer's shares rose to 3-years highs during the session, marking the strongest intra-period price noted in trading.
Telecommunications firm Mobil’nye Telesistemy PJSC (MCX:MTSS) added 1.64% or 3.75 points to close at 232.75, while fertilizer producer PhosAgro PJSC (MCX:PHOR) increased 1.42% or 93.00 points to 6,655.00 in late trade.
On the downside, Bank VTB PJSC (MCX:VTBR) fell 2.13% or 1.86 points to trade at 85.52 at the close. Carrier Aeroflot PJSC (MCX:AFLT) declined 1.45% or 0.82 points to end at 55.69, and TATNEFT n.a. V.D. Shashin Pref (MCX:TATN_p) was down 1.24% or 6.50 points to 517.00.
Volatility, commodities and FX
The Russian Volatility Index - RVI, which measures the implied volatility of MOEX Russia Index options, eased 0.51% to 25.40.
In commodities, Gold Futures for April delivery rose 0.19% or 9.44 to $5,018.94 a troy ounce. Crude oil for April delivery climbed 2.52% or 1.64 to $66.69 a barrel, while the April Brent contract increased 2.26% or 1.59 to trade at $71.94 a barrel.
On the foreign exchange front, USD/RUB was unchanged at 76.75 (0.00%), while EUR/RUB declined 0.12% to 90.32. The US Dollar Index Futures was up 0.20% at 97.82.
Market context
Overall, the session was defined by a handful of names outperforming amid broader sector declines. The net breadth and declines in several large-cap names left the MOEX Russia Index modestly lower at the close.
Data points and prices reported are those observed at the close of trading in Moscow as provided.