RTS index reached 1500 points at the opening

Russian indices rose at the start of trading on Wednesday. The dollar-denominated RTS index made new multi-month highs, reaching 1,500 points for the first time since February 2020, continuing its climb for the seventh day in a row.

The external background before the opening was moderately positive. Brent oil prices are holding above $57, adding more than 1%. These are also the highest levels since February. The API oil stockpile statistics released contributed to the morning rally, indicating a significant reduction in inventories for the week.

In the key indices, oil stocks are actually leading, led by (+1.1%). Gazprom and rising within 0.3%.

(-3.8%) and NKHP (-3.6%) cleared dividends today.

In the third tier, there are price spikes in individual securities.

The USD/RUB exchange rate is down 0.1% to 73.46. In January, the pair was trading in the 73-75 range and is now moving closer to the lower boundary on the back of rising oil prices. At the same time, the RGBI government bond index remains near two-month lows.

Leaders: Orgsintez-up (+25%), Russneft (+2%), NCSP (+1.9%), DVMP (+1.7%), LUKOIL (+1.1%)

Outsiders: MMK (-3.8%), NKHP (-3.6%), Rosgosstrakh (-1.6%), Orgsintez-ao (-1.5%)