Russia's stock market finished the trading day in negative territory on Thursday, with pressure concentrated in the Telecoms, Oil & Gas and Power sectors as the MOEX Russia Index closed down 0.36% in Moscow.
On the index, the clearest gains were recorded by Federal Hydro Generating Company RusHydro PJSC (MCX:HYDR), which advanced 1.53% or 0.01 points to finish at 0.45. OK Rusal MKPAO (MCX:RUAL) added 0.74% or 0.29 points to end the session at 39.38, and retail chain Magnit PJSC (MCX:MGNT) rose 0.72% or 24.00 points to close at 3,361.00.
Declines were led by Magnitogorskiy Metallurgicheskiy Kombinat PAO (MCX:MAGN), which lost 2.57% or 0.83 points to settle at 31.27. Rostelekom PJSC (MCX:RTKM) retreated 1.47% or 0.97 points to 64.96 at the close, while Polyus PJSC (MCX:PLZL) slipped 1.21% or 30.40 points to finish at 2,481.00.
Market breadth on the Moscow Stock Exchange favored decliners: 164 issues fell versus 71 that advanced, and 17 finished unchanged.
Market indicators and commodities
The Russian Volatility Index - RVI, which reflects the implied volatility of MOEX Russia Index options, eased 1.98% to 25.26.
In commodities trading, Gold Futures for April delivery were down 0.25% or 12.85 to $5,213.35 a troy ounce. Crude oil for April delivery inched up 0.12% or 0.08 to $65.50 a barrel, while the May Brent contract rose 0.51% or 0.36 to trade at $71.05 a barrel.
Currency moves
On the foreign exchange front, USD/RUB rose 0.29% to 76.88 and EUR/RUB increased 0.24% to 90.73. The US Dollar Index Futures was up 0.08% at 97.70.
The session's price action left a mixed snapshot: a small overall decline in the benchmark accompanied by selected stock-level gains and losses, reduced implied volatility on MOEX options, modest strength in crude markets and slight weakness in the ruble against major currencies.
Top performers on MOEX (selected)
- Federal Hydro Generating Company RusHydro PJSC (MCX:HYDR) - up 1.53% to 0.45
- OK Rusal MKPAO (MCX:RUAL) - up 0.74% to 39.38
- Magnit PJSC (MCX:MGNT) - up 0.72% to 3,361.00
Largest decliners on MOEX (selected)
- Magnitogorskiy Metallurgicheskiy Kombinat PAO (MCX:MAGN) - down 2.57% to 31.27
- Rostelekom PJSC (MCX:RTKM) - down 1.47% to 64.96
- Polyus PJSC (MCX:PLZL) - down 1.21% to 2,481.00
Overall, the session highlighted selective stock gains amid sectoral weakness, with commodities and foreign exchange moves adding texture to the market picture.