While relatively high oil prices support Bashneft’s BANE (BANE, + 2.8%), demand in the metals sector is negatively affected by the strengthening of the ruble on the foreign exchange market.
Thus, shares of NLMK NLMK (NLMK) fell 2.4%, Severstal CHMF (CHMF) — 1.5%, Norilsk Nickel GMKN (GMKN) — 1.2%. A report from the US Department of Energy released Thursday evening, which reflected a 2.7 million barrels cut in crude oil reserves over the week (expected to be a 2.0 million barrels cut), was a factor in supporting energy prices, but did not cause a noticeable reaction.
In the second echelon, there was an increase in individual securities. Thus, common shares of Rosinter Restaurants (ROST) went up in price by 7.8%, Samaraenergo (SAGO) — by 7.3%, NCSP (NMTP) — by 3.8%.
US stocks closed slightly lower, with US stock index futures trading slightly above Thursday’s close. European indices closed in different directions, Asian indices are on average in a slight plus.
Today, at the beginning of trading, a slight increase in Russian stock indices is possible following oil prices, but there is still not enough reason to consolidate above the level of 1150 points on the RTS index.
On the foreign exchange market, the trend towards a weakening of the US dollar, including against the Russian ruble, remains in force, but strong movements at the beginning of trading are unlikely. In the second half of the day, a package of statistics is expected to be released in the US (including data on retail trade at 15:30 Moscow time), which may affect the external background.