South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Russian stocks closed flat on Saturday, with the MOEX Russia Index finishing the session unchanged at a new one-month high. Despite the lack of movement in the broader index, investor sentiment remained cautious as major sectors showed no significant gains or losses.
Among the session’s top performers were AFK Sistema PJSC, Aeroflot PJSC, and ROSSETI PJSC, all of which ended the trading day unchanged. AFK Sistema held steady at 13.05, Aeroflot closed at 54.71, and ROSSETI maintained its price at 0.06. The same trio also appeared on the list of worst performers due to identical unchanged movements, reflecting the overall stagnant trading environment. With no stocks advancing or declining on the Moscow Exchange, the market exhibited unusually low volatility.
The Russian Volatility Index (RVI), which tracks expected volatility for MOEX Russia Index options, also remained flat at 35.82, reinforcing the day’s muted activity.
In the commodities market, gold continued its upward momentum. December Gold Futures rose 0.48% to $4,079.50 per troy ounce, supported by safe-haven demand. Crude oil prices, however, faced downward pressure. January crude oil futures dropped 2.02% to $57.81 per barrel, while Brent for January delivery declined 1.29% to $62.56 per barrel as global energy markets reacted to concerns over demand dynamics.
Currency movements also played a role in shaping investor sentiment. The USD/RUB pair fell 1.19% to 79.10, while the EUR/RUB slipped 1.32% to 91.06, reflecting a stronger ruble against major currencies. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index Futures inched up 0.02% to 100.11.
Overall, the trading session highlighted a day of stability but minimal direction for Russian equities, with global commodity and currency shifts offering the only notable market drivers.
