Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
U.S. Stocks Rise as Cooler Inflation Boosts Hopes for Fed Rate Cut 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Trump Meets Mexico and Canada Leaders After 2026 World Cup Draw Amid USMCA Tensions 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Russian stocks closed flat on Saturday, with the MOEX Russia Index ending unchanged at 0.00%. Trading was mixed, but energy and airline stocks showed moderate strength.
Federal Hydro Generating Company RusHydro PJSC (MCX:HYDR) led gains, climbing 1.68% to close at 0.47. Aluminum giant OK Rusal MKPAO (MCX:RUAL) rose 1.19% to 31.01, while Aeroflot PJSC (MCX:AFLT) added 0.99% to finish at 65.19.
On the downside, retailer Magnit PJSC (MCX:MGNT) dipped 0.09% to 3,894.00. ADS Ozon Holdings PLC (MCX:OZONDR) and GDR ROS AGRO PLC (MCX:AGRODR) remained unchanged at 3,855.00 and 1,083.80 respectively. Notably, ROS AGRO held steady near its 52-week low.
Market breadth was overwhelmingly positive, with 98 stocks advancing, 8 declining, and 3 remaining unchanged on the Moscow Exchange. The Russian Volatility Index (RVI), which reflects investor sentiment via options on the MOEX Russia Index, remained steady at 42.86.
In commodities, August Gold Futures slipped 0.84% to $3,346.60 per troy ounce, while July Crude Oil surged 1.91% to $64.58 a barrel. Brent Oil for August delivery gained 1.73%, trading at $66.47 a barrel, reflecting renewed demand optimism.
Currency markets saw the ruble weaken, with USD/RUB rising 2.07% to 78.85 and EUR/RUB up 1.63% to 89.85. Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar Index advanced 0.45% to 99.14, reinforcing dollar strength across global forex markets.
The stable Russian equities performance, combined with gains in oil and a weaker ruble, paints a cautiously optimistic picture for commodity-linked stocks in the region.
