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Russian stocks closed slightly lower on Saturday, with the MOEX Russia Index remaining flat at 0.00%, hitting a new six-month low amid weak market sentiment.
Despite the stagnant index, some individual stocks showed resilience. Aluminum giant OK Rusal MKPAO (MCX:RUAL) rose 1.15% to 28.05, while steelmaker Magnitogorskiy Metallurgicheskiy Kombinat (MCX:MAGN) added 1.05%, closing at 31.68. Fertilizer producer PhosAgro PJSC (MCX:PHOR) also gained 1.00%, ending at 5,881.00.
On the downside, Moskovskiy Kreditnyi Bank (MCX:CBOM) slipped 0.71% to 6.55. Mobile operator Mobil’nye Telesistemy PJSC (MCX:MTSS) declined 0.46% to 192.75, and gold miner Polyus PJSC (MCX:PLZL) fell 0.32% to 1,784.20.
Market breadth remained positive with 87 advancing stocks versus 49 decliners, while 8 closed unchanged. The Russian Volatility Index (RVI), which tracks expected volatility on MOEX options, remained steady at 31.83.
Commodity markets provided a mixed backdrop. Gold futures for August delivery climbed 1.15% to $3,364.00 per troy ounce, reflecting stronger safe-haven demand. Crude oil futures for August surged 2.82% to $68.45 per barrel, while Brent crude for September delivery advanced 2.51% to $70.36, signaling increased confidence in energy markets.
In currency trading, the Russian ruble weakened against major peers. The USD/RUB pair rose 0.53% to 77.96, while EUR/RUB climbed 0.44% to 91.14. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index Futures edged higher by 0.22%, settling at 97.53.
While the MOEX Russia Index struggled, selective gains in commodities and individual equities highlighted mixed investor sentiment amid broader market uncertainty.
