Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Russian stocks edged higher on Saturday, driven by strength in the oil, gas, and power sectors. The MOEX Russia Index closed up 0.26%, signaling cautious optimism among investors despite mixed performance across key equities.
Bank VTB PJSC (MCX:VTBR) led the session’s gainers, inching up 0.02% to 83.30. GDR ROS AGRO PLC (MCX:AGRODR) remained flat at 1,083.80, while TATNEFT (MCX:TATN) slipped slightly by 0.09% to 693.40.
However, steelmakers weighed on the index. Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works (MCX:MAGN) saw the steepest loss, plunging 3.85% to 32.49. Severstal PJSC (MCX:CHMF) fell 3.73% to 1,022.40, and diamond giant ALROSA PJSC (MCX:ALRS) dropped 3.69% to 50.40.
Market breadth data was unavailable, indicating neutral sentiment across the broader exchange. Volatility remained stable, with the Russian Volatility Index (RVI) unchanged at 51.60.
In the commodities market, gold futures for June dipped 0.15% to $3,341.30 per troy ounce. Crude oil for May surged 3.54%, reaching $64.68 per barrel, while June Brent gained 3.20% to settle at $67.96, reflecting increased energy demand and geopolitical tensions.
Currency movements showed mixed trends. The USD/RUB pair declined 0.09% to 82.10, while EUR/RUB advanced 0.16% to 93.52. Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar Index Futures saw minimal movement, down 0.01% at 99.13.
Despite weak performances from major metal stocks, gains in the energy sector helped lift the overall index. Investors continue to monitor global commodity prices and currency fluctuations as geopolitical developments unfold.
