Russia's equity benchmark ended the trading session in positive territory on Monday, with the MOEX Russia Index adding 1.14% at the close in Moscow. Broad strength was concentrated in the Oil & Gas, Power and Mining sectors, which underpinned the advance.
Leading the winners on the MOEX Russia Index was NOVATEK PJSC (MCX:NVTK), which rose 3.22% - a gain of 37.50 points - to finish the session at 1,202.90. Bank VTB PJSC (MCX:VTBR) also posted solid gains, climbing 2.81% or 2.68 points to close at 98.09. TATNEFT n.a. V.D. Shashin (MCX:TATN) increased 2.66%, up 15.10 points to 582.60 by the market close.
Not all names participated in the rally. Moskovskiy Kreditnyi Bank PAO (MCX:CBOM) was the weakest performer on the exchange, plunging 11.81% or 0.93 points to end at 6.91. AK ALROSA PJSC (MCX:ALRS) declined 1.39% (0.44 points) to 31.24, while Novolipetsk Steel (MCX:NLMK) slipped 1.17% (1.10 points) to 92.64.
On the Moscow Stock Exchange overall, declining issues slightly exceeded advancing ones: 124 stocks fell compared with 119 that rose, and 8 finished unchanged. The session included notable lows for certain names: AK ALROSA PJSC fell to 5-year lows at 31.24, and Novolipetsk Steel dropped to 3-year lows at 92.64.
Market volatility as measured by the Russian Volatility Index - RVI - rose 5.13% to 21.50, signalling an uptick in implied volatility for MOEX Russia Index options.
Commodities traded with divergent moves. Gold futures for June delivery decreased 0.79%, sliding by $38.75 to $4,840.85 a troy ounce. Crude oil for June delivery strengthened, advancing 4.00% or $3.30 to $85.89 a barrel. The June Brent contract inched higher by 0.07% - a gain of $0.07 - to trade at $94.34 a barrel.
In foreign exchange, the Russian ruble was steady against major currencies at the close: USD/RUB was unchanged at 74.96, and EUR/RUB was unchanged at 88.34. The US Dollar Index Futures slipped 0.05% to 97.85.
Market close snapshot
- MOEX Russia Index: +1.14% at close
- Top advancers: NOVATEK (+3.22%), Bank VTB (+2.81%), TATNEFT (+2.66%)
- Top decliners: Moskovskiy Kreditnyi Bank (-11.81%), AK ALROSA (-1.39%), Novolipetsk Steel (-1.17%)
Context on movers and indicators
Energy and power names led gains while select banks and metals producers underperformed. Rising oil prices coincided with positive moves in major energy stocks. Higher implied volatility on the RVI points to increased option-market nervousness following the day's moves.