Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
China Keeps Loan Prime Rates Unchanged for 13th Straight Month as Policymakers Prioritize Credit Demand Recovery 
100+ Global Companies Push Governments to Prioritize Electrification for Economic Growth 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Yen Near 40-Year Lows Despite BOJ Rate Hike, Markets Brace for Possible Intervention 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
France Faces Long Road to Economic Rebalancing as Weak Demand and High Rates Weigh, Says Citi 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Alphabet Slumps, Middle East Developments and Fed Outlook Weigh on Markets 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low; Gold Falls and Oil Mixed 
Dollar Holds Firm as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Tensions, GBP/USD Slips Amid UK Political Uncertainty 
Gold Price Rises as Investors Weigh U.S.-Iran Talks and Fed Policy Outlook 
Europe EV Demand Surges as Fuel Prices Rise Amid Iran Conflict 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
Russian stocks closed lower on Saturday, with the MOEX Russia Index dropping 0.98%, weighed down by declines in the mining, telecoms, and power sectors.
PhosAgro PJSC (MCX:PHOR) led the gainers, rising 0.85% to 6,633.00. TATNEFT (MCX:TATN) added 0.77% to close at 693.90, while LUKOIL PJSC (MCX:LKOH) climbed 0.73%, ending at 7,346.50.
On the downside, PIK SHb PJSC (MCX:PIKK) was the session’s worst performer, falling 5.80% to 590.00. AFK Sistema PJSC (MCX:AFKS) dropped 3.25% to 18.74, and VK Company Ltd (MCX:VKCO) lost 2.35%, closing at 294.40.
Market sentiment remained cautious, with declining stocks outnumbering gainers. The Russian Volatility Index (RVI), which gauges implied volatility on MOEX Russia Index options, fell sharply by 11.03% to 42.04, indicating reduced investor uncertainty despite the market downturn.
In commodities, April gold futures slipped 0.74% to $3,021.40 per troy ounce. Crude oil for May delivery eased 0.26% to $67.89 a barrel. However, Brent oil for May edged up 0.22% to $72.16.
On the currency front, the ruble strengthened against major currencies. USD/RUB fell 0.50% to 84.50, while EUR/RUB declined 0.84% to 91.37. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index Futures gained 0.24%, reaching 103.74.
With geopolitical factors and commodity prices continuing to influence market trends, investors remain vigilant. The decline in MOEX reflects broader caution across global markets, especially amid shifting energy and currency dynamics.
