Russian stock market closes with losses, MICEX goes below 1,350 points
MOSCOW. June 22 (Interfax) - The Russian stock market closed the week with losses as the MICEX index went below 1,350 points. Stocks felt pressure on Friday on news that Moody's has reduced the ratings for 15 global financial institutions.
Benchmark stocks on the MICEX slipped 1.2% to 1,347.15 points while the RTS Index declined by 1.9% to 1,281.88 points. Ruble-based blue chips on the MICEX-RTS exchange declined within 3.7%.
The MICEX Index went down by 2% for the week while the RTS lost 4.2% owing to the weakening position of the Russian ruble against the U.S. dollar.
Decliners for the day were VTB , down 2%, Gazprom - 0.8%, Gazprom Neft - 0.9%, Lukoil - 1.3%, NOVATEK - 0.6%, Polyus Gold - 1%, Rosneft - 1.4%, Rostelecom - 1%, Sberbank Russia - 1.9%, Surgutneftegas - 2.4%, Tatneft - 3.7%, and Federal Grid Company UES - 1.6%.
Advancers for the day were MMC Norilsk Nickel , up 0.04% and Transneft - 0.5%.
Posting losses among second tier stocks on the MICEX-RTS were Mechel , down 7.4%, Sollers - 3.5%, IDGC North Caucasus - 3.4%, O2TV - 3.2%, TMK - 3.1%, IDGC Center and Volga - 2.9%, and Novolipetsk Steel - 2.7%.
Posting gains were RAO ES Vostok - 4.4%, E.ON Russia - 3.2%, TGK-13 - 2.9%, OGK-5 - 1.2%, and PIK Group - 0.5%.
Total stock trading on the MICEX-RTS main market for the day came to 29.759 billion rubles (9.243 billion rubles went to Sberbank common shares), Standard sector deals - $120.424 million, and Classic transactions - $1.55 million.