MOEX Russia Index Rises 0.63% as Russian Stocks Close Higher

Russian equities finished the trading session higher, supported by gains in key sectors including mining, telecommunications and power utilities. The positive performance helped lift the broader market benchmark on the Moscow Exchange.

At the close in Moscow, the MOEX Russia Index advanced by 0.63%. Among the session’s top performers was Moskovskaya Birzha PJSC, the operator of the Moscow Exchange, whose shares climbed 2.78% to close at 187.49 rubles. VK Company Ltd also posted strong gains, rising 2.28%, while gold producer Polyus PJSC added 2.21% by the end of trading.

However, some major stocks ended the day lower. Bank VTB shares declined 1.09%, making it one of the weaker performers in the index. Steelmaker Novolipetsk Steel slipped 0.59%, while oil giant LUKOIL closed down 0.54% during the session.

Market breadth remained slightly positive across the Moscow Exchange. A total of 130 stocks advanced, compared with 111 decliners, while 11 issues ended unchanged. Meanwhile, the Russian Volatility Index (RVI), which tracks implied volatility of MOEX options, edged up to 27.43. In broader markets, oil prices moved higher, while the Russian ruble weakened slightly against both the U.S. dollar and the euro.