On Thursday, the Moscow Exchange saw a modest decline as the MOEX Russia Index closed down 0.09%, pressured primarily by setbacks in several key sectors including mining, telecommunications, and oil and gas.
Among the days notable performers, Unipro PJSC (MCX:UPRO) experienced a positive shift, gaining 4.52% to settle at 1.57. Polyus PJSC (MCX:PLZL) also advanced by 1.86% to close at 2,692.20, while VK Company Ltd (MCX:VKCO) ended the session higher by 0.67%, trading at 300.50.
Conversely, certain major stocks faced declines. NOVATEK PJSC (MCX:NVTK) led the laggards, dropping 2.25% to 1,215.00. Federal Hydro Generating Company RusHydro PJSC (MCX:HYDR) declined 1.56% to 0.43, and PIK SHb PJSC (MCX:PIKK) was down 1.54% closing at 467.90.
Market breadth indicated more falling stocks than advancing, with 138 stocks declining, 107 increasing, and 8 unchanged across the Moscow Stock Exchange.
Market volatility, as gauged by the Russian Volatility Index (RVI) which measures implied volatility for MOEX Russia Index options, showed a slight decline of 0.04%, finishing at 25.21.
Commodity markets exhibited divergent trends. Gold futures for February delivery surged 1.84%, or $88.79, reaching $4,926.29 per troy ounce. Meanwhile, crude oil contracts slipped; March WTI crude retreated 1.93% to $59.45 per barrel, and March Brent crude decreased 1.66% to $64.16 per barrel.
Currency movements included a 1.30% depreciation of the US dollar against the Russian ruble, with USD/RUB at 75.99, and EUR/RUB dropped 0.72% to 89.31. The US Dollar Index futures contracted 0.43%, settling at 98.14.