RTS Index rises 1.1% to 963.04 points as talks support Russian stocks

The dollar-denominated RTS Index rose to 963.04 points after the main Moscow Exchange session on Friday, November 13. Finversia reported the level at 19:41 Moscow time, equivalent to 17:41 Berlin time, and described a 1.1 percent daily gain.

The move followed a previous-session close of 952.21 points. TASS reported that the RTS Index had gained 0.34 percent to that level by the close of business on the Moscow Exchange on November 12. The Friday advance therefore amounted to 10.83 points.

Diplomatic expectations support equities

Market sentiment was supported by the resumption of talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States, alongside expectations of further diplomatic contacts with European participation in the following week. Finversia said the prospect of lower geopolitical uncertainty and additional progress toward a settlement helped sustain demand for Russian shares.

The oil market provided a second supportive backdrop. The January Brent futures contract traded above 96.3 US dollars per barrel, according to the same Finversia report. The combination of stronger oil and negotiation headlines helped Russian equities extend their weekly recovery.

Energy and financial shares in focus

Several Russian companies recorded notable moves during Friday trading. Finversia listed En+ Group, MKB, Transneft, Renaissance Insurance and T-Technologies among the stronger performers. VK, Positive Technologies and Alrosa were among the weaker shares. The RTS Index itself, however, finished the main session higher than the previous day's close.

The RTS Index is a capitalization-weighted composite benchmark calculated from liquid Russian shares listed on the Moscow Exchange. The exchange identifies the index by code RTSI and ISIN RU000A0JPEB3.

More coverage is available on the RTS Index topic page.