European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
Dow Hits Record High as Healthcare and Consumer Stocks Lead Wall Street Rally 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
Russia’s stock market ended flat on Saturday, with the MOEX Russia Index remaining unchanged at 0.00%, marking a new six-month low. Investor sentiment stayed cautious amid weak performance in major sectors and persistent market volatility.
Among the top performers, NOVATEK PJSC (MCX:NVTK) closed steady at 1,084.00, while T Tekhnologii MKPAO (MCX:T) and GDR ROS AGRO PLC ORD SHS (MCX:AGRODR) also finished unchanged at 2,979.20 and 1,083.80, respectively. Despite stability among select blue-chip stocks, broader market weakness continued to weigh on investor confidence.
On the downside, Moskovskaya Birzha PJSC (MCX:MOEX) led losses with a 2.17% decline to 155.87, hitting a new 52-week low. Federal Hydro Generating Company RusHydro PJSC (MCX:HYDR) dropped 2.15% to 0.38 — its lowest level in five years. Meanwhile, VK Company Ltd (MCX:VKCO) slipped 1.92% to 260.80, extending recent declines in the technology sector.
Market breadth reflected bearish sentiment, with 186 stocks falling compared to only 39 gaining, while 7 remained unchanged on the Moscow Exchange. The Russian Volatility Index (RVI), which tracks implied volatility on MOEX options, remained stable at 34.32, signaling ongoing market uncertainty.
In commodities, Gold Futures (December delivery) rose 1.05% to $3,908.90 per troy ounce, supported by safe-haven demand. Crude oil (November) climbed 0.66% to $60.88 a barrel, and Brent oil (December) increased 0.66% to $64.53.
In currency trading, the USD/RUB pair slipped 0.36% to 82.25, while EUR/RUB edged down 0.14% to 96.58. The U.S. Dollar Index Futures weakened slightly by 0.13% to 97.42, reflecting a modest retreat in dollar strength.
