RTS Index tops 1,430 points as dollar weakens
MOSCOW. Dec 23 (Interfax) - The Russian stock market posted gains on most blue chips on Wednesday as the RTS Index topped 1,430 thanks to the weakening U.S. dollar.
Benchmark stocks on the RTS Index went up by 1.23% to 1,434.6 points while the MICEX Stock Exchange edged up 0.04% to 1,366.78 points.
RTS futures topped the base asset by 3.6 points, indicating a neutral mood among speculators.
The advancers for the day were Gazprom , up 1.2% on the MICEX Stock Exchange, VTB - 0.4%, MMC Norilsk Nickel - 1.1%, Gazprom Neft - 0.6%, Tatneft - 0.2%, Polyus Gold - 1.4% and Rosneft - remaining the same as on Tuesday.
Posting losses were Rostelecom , down 1.3%, Surgutneftegas - 0.6% and Sberbank .
Posting gains among second tier stocks on the MICEX were North-West Telecom , up 19.9% for common shares and 13.5% on prefs, VolgaTelecom - 10.3% and 7%, Aeroflot - 8.6% and Sibirtelecom - 7% for common shares.
Posting losses were Sistema , down 3.8%, IDGC North Caucasus - 3.4% and OGK-5 - 2.7%.
Total RTS Classic Trading for the day came to $4.515 million, RTS Standard - $298.88 million and MICEX Stock Exchange Deals - over 45.42 billion rubles.