IMF Advances Ukraine Loan Program, Clears $690M Disbursement 
South Korea Signals Possible Interest Rate Hike as Inflation Remains Elevated 
Gold Prices Slide Toward Second Weekly Loss as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Weigh on Market 
ECB Keeps July Rate Options Open Amid Iran War Energy Price Risks 
Pakistan Economy Grows 3.7% in FY2026 Amid Strong Fiscal Performance 
Trump Signals Opposition to USMCA Renewal as U.S. Reviews Trade Relations with Canada and Mexico 
US Dollar Heads for Weekly Loss as Iran Peace Deal Hopes Boost Risk Appetite 
Asian Stocks Rally as Trump Signals Iran Peace Deal; Tech and Chip Shares Rebound Strongly 
Gold Prices Slip Weekly Despite Friday Rebound as U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Hopes Grow 
Asian Stocks Slide as Tech Selloff Deepens and US-Iran Conflict Escalates 
Changchun Targets EV Growth as China’s Auto Industry Consolidation Accelerates 
European Stocks Rise Ahead of ECB Rate Decision as Investors Buy the Dip 
Oil Prices Fall as U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
Asian Stocks Surge as Middle East Peace Hopes Lift Markets; SpaceX IPO Shatters Records 
US Appeals Court Keeps Trump’s 10% Global Tariff in Effect During Ongoing Legal Battle 
Kremlin Says New EU Sanctions Won’t Hurt Russian Banks 
Dollar Stabilizes as Markets Weigh Middle East Ceasefire Prospects and Central Bank Policy Outlook 
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.
