Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance

Russian stocks closed mixed after Saturday’s trading session on the Moscow Exchange, with the benchmark MOEX Russia Index finishing unchanged at 0.00%. Despite the flat headline performance, individual stocks showed varied movements across key sectors, reflecting cautious investor sentiment amid ongoing volatility in global markets.

Among the best-performing stocks on the MOEX Russia Index was Magnit PJSC (MCX: MGNT), which climbed 1.80%, gaining 55 points to close at 3,112.00. The retailer benefited from steady demand expectations and relative strength in the consumer sector. NOVATEK PJSC (MCX: NVTK) also posted gains, rising 1.09% or 13 points to end the session at 1,209.40, supported by optimism around natural gas exports. PIK SHb PJSC (MCX: PIKK) advanced 0.88%, adding 4.30 points to settle at 493.80 in late trading.

On the downside, several stocks finished flat or posted marginal changes. GDR ROS AGRO PLC ORD SHS (MCX: AGRODR) ended unchanged at 1,083.80, marking a 52-week low and highlighting continued pressure on agricultural equities. MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC (MCX: GMKN) was virtually flat, edging down 0.03% to 136.80, while Moskovskiy Kreditnyi Bank PAO (MCX: CBOM) rose slightly by 0.07% to close at 7.40.

Market breadth remained positive, with advancing stocks outnumbering decliners by 178 to 40, while 21 shares closed unchanged. The Russian Volatility Index (RVI), which tracks implied volatility for MOEX options, remained steady at 32.20, signaling stable short-term risk expectations.

In commodities trading, gold futures for February delivery rose 0.35% to $4,328.30 per ounce, reflecting safe-haven demand. Oil prices moved lower, with January crude slipping 0.28% to $57.44 per barrel and February Brent crude declining 0.26% to $61.12. In currency markets, the Russian ruble strengthened slightly, with USD/RUB falling 0.25% to 80.05 and EUR/RUB down 0.23% to 93.98, while the US Dollar Index Futures edged up 0.03% to 98.02.