RTS Index rises 4 points as Ukraine talks lift stocks at midday

The RTS Index stood at 968 points at 12:00 p.m. CEST on October 26, up 4 points or 0.4 percent. Hopes for renewed Ukraine negotiations supported Russian stocks, while Brent crude fell 1.8 percent to USD 109.69 a barrel, Finam reports.

Polyus rose 2.1 percent as gold prices advanced, while PhosAgro fell 2.3 percent. PhosAgro's nine-month net profit declined 67.3 percent year over year, according to Finam.

Why is the RTS Index rising today?

Negotiation expectations followed comments from Russian and US officials about possible Ukraine talks. The market is also assessing Friday's decision by the Bank of Russia to keep its key rate at 14 percent, while its year-end inflation forecast rose to 7.1 percent to 7.6 percent, the Bank of Russia said.

The currency-sensitive RTS Index received support from the day's stock gains and a stronger ruble. The broader market had 58 percent of shares rising and 37 percent falling at midday, with RUB 33.6 billion in share turnover, FinMarket reported.

Polyus gains as gold prices rise

Polyus was among the strongest RTS constituents at midday, up 2.1 percent. PhosAgro was among the weakest, down 2.3 percent, after its reported earnings showed lower profitability despite higher revenue.

RTS Index range narrows by midday

The index traded between 963 points and 969 points during the session. It opened from a previous close of 964 points and was 4 points above that level at 1:00 p.m. MSK.

Nornickel also published nine-month production data. Nickel output rose 4 percent year over year to 146,000 metric tons, while palladium output fell 4 percent, MarketScreener reported.

What comes next for Russian stocks

Russia's next major data release is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. The figures will provide fresh information on domestic demand, employment and industrial activity.

October 27, 2026, 4:00 p.m. MSK: unemployment, retail sales, industrial production, real wage growth and business confidence data are scheduled, with prior values listed by Trading Economics.

RTS Index price data for October 26, 2026

The RTS Index was at 968 points at 12:00 p.m. CEST on October 26, 2026, up 4 points or 0.4 percent from the previous close of 964 points, FinMarket reported. The intraday high was 969 points and the low was 963 points.

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