Russian stocks gain on U.S. statistics; first quarter decline at 2.5%
MOSCOW. March 29 (Interfax) - Russian stocks gained to near 1,440 points on Friday on positive U.S. economic data, a day after the U.S. stock market hit an all-time high.
The MICEX ended the day up 0.3% to 1,438.57 points and the RTS was up 0.4% to 1,460.04.
For the week, the MICEX index was down 0.2% and the RTS shed 0.7%. For the first quarter, the indexes were down 2.5% and 4.4% respectively.
Among advancers, Gazprom (0.7%), Gazprom Neft (+0.7%), Lukoil (+0.1%), Novatek (+0.03%), Norilsk Nickel (+0.2%), Rosneft (+0.6%), Sberbank (+0.3%), Surgutneftegas (+0.1%), Tatneft (+0.8%), and Federal Grid Co (+2.4%).
Decliners included VTB (-0.1%), Polyus Gold (-1.1%) and Rostelecom (-0.4%).
Among second-tier advancers, Razgulay (+15.7%), Far East Shipping (+7.8%) and Avtovaz (+5.8%).
Among decliners, RAO ES Vostok (-4.8%), Seligrad (-3.3%), Raspadskaya (-2.2%) and Magnit (-1.2%).
Combined trading volume on the main MICEX-RTS market was 11.074 billion rubles, of which 2.479 billion rubles in Sberbank ordinary shares. Standard market turnover was $22.69 million and Classica - $0.904 million.