Russian stocks ended lower on Friday, with the MOEX Russia Index slipping 0.75% as declines in the Power, Mining, and Oil & Gas sectors weighed on the market.
Among the top gainers, Polyus PJSC (MCX:PLZL) rose 3.05% to 1,908.00, supported by gold price stability. TATNEFT n.a. V.D. Shashin Pref (MCX:TATN_p) added 1.00% to close at 618.60, while Moskovskiy Kreditnyi Bank PAO (MCX:CBOM) gained 0.99% to 6.93.
On the downside, Severstal PJSC (MCX:CHMF) dropped 2.16% to 1,040.00, and NOVATEK PJSC (MCX:NVTK) also declined 2.16% to 1,050.20. Aluminum giant OK Rusal MKPAO (MCX:RUAL) lost 1.61%, ending at 30.17.
Market breadth showed weakness, with 181 stocks declining versus 58 advancing, and 10 remaining unchanged. The Russian Volatility Index (RVI) rose 2.30% to 31.11, marking its lowest level in six months, signaling increased investor caution.
In commodities, August Gold Futures edged up 0.11% to $3,346.50 per troy ounce, reflecting safe-haven demand. However, oil prices slipped, with August Crude down 0.76% to $66.49 per barrel and September Brent falling 0.42% to $68.51.
Currency markets also moved against the ruble. USD/RUB declined 0.41% to 78.75, while EUR/RUB dropped 0.19% to 92.77. Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar Index Futures dipped 0.18% to 96.65, amid global forex shifts.
Overall, the Russian stock market faced pressure from key commodity-linked sectors, while rising volatility and a strengthening ruble added to the cautious sentiment.