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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.
