Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Russian stocks finished Saturday’s trading session slightly lower overall, with the MOEX Russia Index closing flat at 0.00% in Moscow. Market performance was mixed, as gains in select heavyweight stocks were offset by losses in telecommunications and energy shares, reflecting cautious investor sentiment amid movements in global commodities and currencies.
Among the top gainers on the MOEX Russia Index was Polyus PJSC, which climbed 1.85% to close at 2,417.40, supported by higher gold prices. OZON also posted a strong performance, rising 1.36% to 4,541.00 and reaching a new 52-week high, highlighting continued investor confidence in the e-commerce sector. OK Rusal MKPAO added 1.11% to end the session at 34.51, benefiting from interest in metal-related stocks.
On the downside, Rostelekom PJSC slipped 0.56% to 63.64, while TATNEFT n.a. V.D. Shashin declined 0.41% to 581.90. VK Company Ltd also closed lower, easing 0.36% to 304.40. Despite these losses, market breadth remained positive, with advancing stocks outnumbering declining ones by 143 to 81, while 24 securities ended unchanged.
Volatility remained stable, as the Russian Volatility Index (RVI) held steady at 27.46, suggesting no major shift in near-term market expectations. In commodities, gold futures for February delivery rose 1.11%, boosting sentiment in precious metal stocks. In contrast, oil prices moved sharply lower, with February crude oil falling 2.76% to $56.74 per barrel and Brent crude dropping 2.57% to $60.64, pressuring energy-related equities.
In the currency market, the Russian ruble strengthened against major currencies. The USD/RUB pair fell 0.58% to 77.56, while EUR/RUB declined 0.63% to 91.31. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index futures edged up slightly, reflecting modest dollar strength globally.
Overall, Russian stock market performance reflected a balance between commodity-driven gains and sector-specific weakness, leaving the MOEX Index unchanged by the close.
