Oil Prices Rebound as Iran Denies U.S. Talks Amid Gulf War Supply Fears 
Asian Currencies Stay Muted as Dollar Holds Firm Amid Iran Uncertainty 
Japan's Private Sector Growth Slows in March Amid Rising Costs and Middle East Uncertainty 
WTO Reform Talks Begin in Cameroon Amid Global Trade Tensions 
Bank of Japan Officials Signal Continued Interest Rate Hikes Amid Inflation Concerns 
Australia-EU Free Trade Deal Signed After Years of Negotiations 
Japan Eyes Oil Futures Intervention to Stabilize Yen Amid Middle East Crisis 
Oil Prices Climb as Iran Reviews U.S. Peace Proposal Amid Middle East Tensions 
UK Consumer Confidence Weakens Amid Middle East Conflict and Rising Living Costs 
Federal Reserve Balance Sheet Reduction: Brookings Research Outlines Possible Path Forward 
U.S. Oil Prices Slide as Middle East Ceasefire Talks Spark Market Optimism 
Middle East War Rattles Global Markets as Oil Tops $100 and Dollar Surges 
Asian Currencies Weaken as Dollar Rebounds Amid Middle East Uncertainty and Japan Inflation Data 
Australia's Inflation Eases in February but Core Pressures Persist 
Oil Prices Plunge Over 6% as Middle East Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Fears 
Iran-Israel Missile Strikes Continue Amid Mixed Signals on U.S.-Iran Diplomacy 
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.
