RTS Index falls 4 points at midday after Bank of Russia decision
Published on 10/23/2026 at 13:34 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSRate decision jolts Russian stocks
- At 1:30 p.m. MSK, the RTS Index stood at 939 points, down 4 points or 0.4 percent.
- Bank of Russia held its key rate at 14 percent amid elevated price pressure.
- X5 led gainers at 1.1 percent, while Nornickel fell 0.8 percent.
- Nabiullina's press conference is scheduled for October 23, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. MSK.
On October 23, 2026, the RTS Index was trading at 939 points at 1:30 p.m. MSK, down 4 points or 0.4 percent. The decline followed the Bank of Russia's decision to keep its key rate at 14 percent, as TASS reports.
The dollar-denominated benchmark had risen earlier before the rate announcement. The sharpest named move among major stocks was X5, which gained 1.1 percent, while the broader technology and financial groups weakened, DP reports.
Why is the RTS Index down after the rate decision?
The central bank cited elevated current price pressure and high inflation expectations. Its statement said underlying price growth remained between 5 percent and 6 percent on an annualized basis, TASS reports.
Markets had expected the rate to remain at 14 percent. The unchanged decision therefore shifted attention to the regulator's forecasts and policy guidance.
Winners and losers in the RTS Index
Winners and losers at 1:32 p.m. MSK according to DP:
- X5 up 1.1 percent
- Novatek up 0.7 percent
- Gazprom up 0.4 percent
- Nornickel down 0.8 percent
- Yandex down 0.7 percent
- Sberbank down 0.4 percent
RTS Index gives back its opening gain
The RTS Index opened at 948 points after reaching 948 points at its session high. It later fell to 939 points, compared with Thursday's close of 943 points, as the rate decision triggered the selloff, TASS reports.
Thursday's close was 943 points, up 0.3 percent, while oil prices above USD 112 supported Russian shares before the decision, TASS reports.
What comes next for the RTS Index
- October 23, 2026, 3:00 p.m. MSK: Bank of Russia Governor Elvira Nabiullina holds a monetary-policy press conference, Bank of Russia says.
- December 18, 2026: The next Bank of Russia key-rate meeting is scheduled, RBC reports.
RTS Index price data for October 23, 2026
At 1:30 p.m. MSK on October 23, 2026, the RTS Index stood at 939 points, down 4 points or 0.4 percent from the previous close of 943 points, TASS reports. The index opened at 948 points, reached a high of 948 points and fell to a low of 939 points.
RTS Index by the numbers on October 23, 2026
- Index: RTS Index
- Home exchange: Moscow Exchange, Russia
- Level at 1:30 p.m. MSK on October 23, 2026: 939 points
- Change versus previous close of October 22, 2026: down 4 points (down 0.4 percent)
- Previous close: 943 points
- Open: 948 points
- Day high / day low: 948 points / 939 points
- Top gainer: X5 up 1.1 percent
- Top loser: Nornickel down 0.8 percent
- Next scheduled event: October 23, 2026, 3:00 p.m. MSK: Bank of Russia press conference
