Norway Core Inflation Hits 3.2% in April, Fueling Interest Rate Hike Expectations 
South Korea Central Bank Signals Inflation Concerns as Oil Prices Surge 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady Ahead of CPI Data and Iran Conflict Concerns 
Oil Prices Rise as Dollar Gains Ahead of Key U.S. Inflation Data 
ECB Signals Possible Interest Rate Move if Inflation Outlook Fails to Improve 
China Car Sales Drop Again as EV Export Growth Surges in April 
Asian Stocks Slip as Korea’s KOSPI Tumbles Amid Iran Conflict and Chip Sector Profit-Taking 
Gold Prices Slip as Strong Dollar and Rising Oil Weigh on Market Sentiment 
Trump-Xi China Summit 2026: Trade Tensions, Taiwan, and Iran Take Center Stage 
US Inflation Expected to Rise Again in April as Fed Signals Higher Interest Rates 
Goldman Sachs Delays Fed Rate Cut Forecast to 2026 Amid Rising Inflation Concerns 
US, Japan Reaffirm Strong Currency Coordination Amid Yen Volatility 
KOSPI Hits Record High as AI Chip Demand Boosts Samsung and SK Hynix 
China Inflation Jumps as Iran Conflict Drives Energy Costs Higher 
Asian Stocks Rise Despite Middle East Tensions as Chipmakers Boost Markets 
Indian Stock Market Drops as Iran Conflict Fuels Oil Price and Inflation Fears 
Russian stocks closed mixed on Saturday, with the MOEX Russia Index finishing flat but reaching a new three-month high. Despite ending the session unchanged at 0.00%, investor sentiment remained supported by strong performances in major energy shares on the Moscow Stock Exchange (MOEX).
Among the top gainers on the MOEX Russia Index were TATNEFT n.a. V.D. Shashin (MCX:TATN), which climbed 3.04% to 559.50 rubles. LUKOIL PJSC (MCX:LKOH) followed closely, advancing 2.99% to close at 5,376.50 rubles. Preferred shares of TATNEFT (MCX:TATN_p) also performed well, rising 2.98% to 535.00 rubles. Strength in oil-related stocks helped offset broader market weakness and supported the benchmark index’s move to a multi-month high.
However, market breadth indicated underlying pressure, as declining stocks significantly outnumbered advancers by 185 to 51, while 11 shares ended unchanged. Federal Hydro Generating Company RusHydro PJSC (MCX:HYDR) led the losers, falling 1.80% to 0.44 rubles. Retail giant Magnit PJSC (MCX:MGNT) dropped 1.65% to 3,304.00 rubles, and Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works (MCX:MAGN) slipped 1.30% to 31.10 rubles.
Volatility remained subdued, with the Russian Volatility Index (RVI) holding steady at 23.92, marking a one-month low and signaling relatively stable investor expectations.
In commodities trading, gold futures for April delivery surged 1.03% to $5,267.20 per troy ounce. Crude oil prices also strengthened, with April contracts rising 2.78% to $67.02 per barrel, while May Brent crude gained 2.87% to $72.87 per barrel.
Currency markets saw the Russian ruble weaken slightly, as USD/RUB increased 0.55% to 77.30 and EUR/RUB rose 0.69% to 91.32. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index futures edged down 0.17% to 97.57, reflecting modest pressure on the greenback.
Overall, gains in energy stocks and firm commodity prices helped Russia’s benchmark index maintain its upward momentum, even as broader market participation remained uneven.
