Australia's Trade Surplus Surges in February on Gold Export Boom 
Trump Claims Iran Sought Ceasefire as Middle East War Escalates 
Oil Prices Hold Near Multi-Year Highs Amid Iran Conflict and Hormuz Supply Fears 
Japan's Business Confidence Rises Despite Iran War Uncertainty, BOJ Rate Hike Expected 
Bank of Japan Eyes Further Rate Hikes Amid Middle East Tensions and Inflation Pressures 
Trump Expands Tariffs on Pharmaceuticals and Metals One Year After Liberation Day 
Trump's Claim That the U.S. Can Cover Global Jet Fuel Shortfall Doesn't Add Up 
U.S. Job Market Braces for Slow Recovery Amid Middle East Tensions and Economic Uncertainty 
Japan's Services Sector Growth Slows in March Amid Rising Middle East Tensions 
Gold Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Spark Market Optimism 
Asian Currencies Weaken as Dollar Rebounds Amid Middle East Escalation 
U.S. Dollar Climbs as Trump Escalates Rhetoric Against Iran 
China's Services Sector Maintains Growth Streak Despite March Slowdown 
U.S. Stock Futures Steady Amid Iran Ceasefire Talks and Trump Address 
South Korea's Inflation Rises Modestly in March Amid Oil Price Pressures 
Gold Prices Rebound But Head for Worst Month Since 2008 Amid Iran War Uncertainty 
Japan Business Sentiment Rises as Iran War Fuels Inflation Fears, BOJ Rate Hike Looms 
Russian stocks finished Saturday’s trading session slightly lower overall, with the benchmark MOEX Russia Index closing unchanged at 0.00% in Moscow. Market sentiment remained cautious as investors weighed mixed performances across key sectors alongside movements in commodities and foreign exchange markets. Despite limited index movement, individual stocks posted notable gains and losses, reflecting selective investor interest rather than broad-based momentum.
Among the best-performing stocks on the MOEX Russia Index was Federal Hydro Generating Company RusHydro PJSC (MCX: HYDR), which advanced 1.28% to close at 0.43. OZON (MCX: OZON) also showed strength, rising 0.81% to finish at 4,689.50, while ROSSETI PJSC (MCX: FEES) ended the session unchanged at 0.08, effectively flat but still counted among the day’s relatively stronger names. These gains highlighted ongoing interest in utilities and select technology-linked stocks within the Russian equity market.
On the downside, NOVATEK PJSC (MCX: NVTK) was the weakest performer, slipping 0.22% to close at 1,175.40. Novolipetsk Steel (MCX: NLMK) declined 0.21% to 113.24, while Moskovskaya Birzha PJSC (MCX: MOEX) edged lower by 0.16% to 181.68. These modest declines reflected profit-taking and subdued demand in energy, steel, and financial services shares.
Market breadth was positive, with advancing stocks outnumbering decliners by 182 to 42, while 18 stocks finished unchanged. The Russian Volatility Index (RVI), a key measure of implied volatility for MOEX options, remained steady at 26.52, signaling stable near-term risk expectations.
In commodities trading, gold futures for April delivery fell sharply by 11.39% to $4,763.10 per troy ounce. Oil prices also moved lower, with March crude oil down 0.32% at $65.21 per barrel and April Brent crude declining 0.39% to $69.32. In currency markets, USD/RUB edged up 0.05% to 76.00, while EUR/RUB dropped 0.95% to 90.06. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index Futures climbed 0.75% to 96.86, adding pressure to emerging market currencies.
