Oil Prices Set for Steep Weekly Losses as Hormuz Deal Stalls 
China Trade Surplus Beats Forecasts in July as Exports Stay Strong 
Goldman Sachs Sees US Stock Buybacks Outpacing Equity Issuance as AI Funding Rises 
China Exports Beat July Forecasts as AI Demand Fuels High-Tech Trade 
Japan Executives Warn Weak Yen and Currency Volatility Threaten Economy 
Asian Stocks Rise as Weak US Jobs Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Canada, US Hold Constructive Trade Talks as Tariff Negotiations Continue 
Gold Prices Hold Near Seven-Week High as Markets Await U.S. Inflation Data 
South Korean Won Leads Asian FX Losses as Dollar Rises 
BOJ Signals Faster Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Raise September Move Odds 
Oil Prices Rise as Hormuz Reopening Remains Uncertain 
US Dollar Falls as Weak July Jobs Report Dents Fed Rate Hike Bets 
US Job Growth Seen Picking Up in July 
Trump Unveils $3 Billion U.S. Critical Minerals Push 
Asian Stocks Mixed as Chip Selloff Hits KOSPI, Nikkei Ahead of US Jobs Data 
European Stocks Flat as Oil Prices Rise, US CPI in Focus 
Russian stocks closed mixed on Saturday, with the MOEX Russia Index finishing flat at 0.00% and touching its lowest level in six months. Investor sentiment remained cautious as gains in select stocks were offset by declines in key sectors, reflecting ongoing uncertainty in the Russian equity market.
Among the top performers on the Moscow Exchange, Aeroflot PJSC (MCX:AFLT) advanced 2.32% to close at 44.15. AFK Sistema PJSC (MCX:AFKS) gained 1.79% to finish at 13.34, while ROSSETI PJSC (MCX:FEES) added 1.41%, ending the session at 0.05.
On the downside, PIK SHb PJSC (MCX:PIKK) recorded the largest decline among blue-chip stocks, dropping 2.32% to 581.20. TATNEFT n.a. V.D. Shashin Pref (MCX:TATN_p) fell 1.09% to 552.30, while TATNEFT (MCX:TATN) slipped 0.86% to close at 591.30.
Market breadth remained positive despite the weak benchmark performance, with 148 stocks advancing, 84 declining, and 15 ending unchanged on the Moscow Stock Exchange.
The Russian Volatility Index (RVI), a key measure of expected market volatility based on MOEX Russia Index options, remained unchanged at 26.71.
In the commodities market, gold prices rallied sharply as Gold Futures for August delivery climbed 3.03%, or $124.80, to reach $4,238.80 per troy ounce. Meanwhile, oil prices moved lower. U.S. crude oil for July delivery declined 3.23% to $84.88 per barrel, while Brent crude for August delivery dropped 3.37% to $87.33 per barrel.
Currency markets also saw moderate movement. The U.S. dollar strengthened 0.33% against the Russian ruble, with USD/RUB rising to 72.50. EUR/RUB gained 0.24% to 83.87.
The U.S. Dollar Index Futures edged down 0.10% to 99.75, highlighting broader weakness in the dollar despite gains against the ruble. Investors will continue monitoring global commodity prices, currency fluctuations, and geopolitical developments for clues about the direction of Russian stocks and emerging market assets.
