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Russian stocks ended Saturday’s trading session mostly lower, with declines outweighing gains across the Moscow Exchange, although the benchmark MOEX Russia Index managed to close unchanged and secure a fresh three-month high. Market participants remained cautious, as mixed performances among heavyweight stocks offset gains in select mining and metals companies.
At the close in Moscow, the MOEX Russia Index finished flat at 0.00%, reflecting a balanced but subdued trading session. Despite the lack of overall movement, several blue-chip stocks posted modest gains. MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC emerged as the top performer, rising 0.41% to close at 166.00, marking a new 52-week high and reinforcing investor interest in the metals and mining sector. Polyus PJSC also advanced, gaining 0.40% to end the session at 2,719.80, supported by strong gold prices. OK Rusal MKPAO edged higher by 0.05% to 40.62, adding to the positive tone among select industrial stocks.
On the downside, Unipro PJSC led losses, slipping 1.01% to close at 1.57. Energy majors also weighed on the index, with Gazprom PJSC falling 0.78% to 126.60 and NOVATEK PJSC declining 0.74% to 1,208.00. Overall market breadth remained negative, as declining stocks outnumbered advancing ones by 131 to 95, while 21 securities ended the session unchanged.
Volatility remained stable, with the Russian Volatility Index (RVI) closing flat at 25.15, signaling steady investor sentiment despite sector-specific weakness. In commodities, prices surged, offering broader support to resource-linked equities. Gold futures for February delivery jumped 1.35% to $4,979.70 per troy ounce. Oil markets also strengthened, with WTI crude for March delivery rising 2.88% to $61.07 a barrel, while Brent crude gained 2.84% to trade at $65.88.
In currency markets, the Russian ruble strengthened against major peers. USD/RUB fell 0.66% to 75.50, while EUR/RUB edged down 0.05% to 89.30. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index futures declined 0.78% to 97.40, adding to the supportive backdrop for emerging market currencies.
