Moscow exchange setback: investors sell Russian companies’ stocks

Stock prices of most Russian companies have fallen.

The Micex Index has fallen to 1346.8 (-1.53%), the RTS index fell as much as 1.67% and reached 1193.3, Vesti Ekonomiki inform.

Rostelekom shares have fallen (-2.4%), as well as Inter RAO (-2.3%), Sberbank (-2%), Mechel (-1.8%), Gazprom (-1.8%), RusGidro (-1.5%), LUKoil (-1.3%), Gazprom neft (-1.2%), Nornikel (-1.1%), Rosneft (-1.1%), VTB (-1.1%), Surgutneftegaz (-1%), Severstal (-1%), Tatneft (-0.8%).

US dollar and Euro have grown at Moscow exchange. Dollar trading started at the level of 35.69 rubles per 1$, which is 12 kopecks higher than on Thursday, and 13 kopecks higher than the current official exchange rate. Euro trading started at the level of 49.515 rubles per 1 Euro, which is 13 kopecks higher than the day before, and 28 kopecks higher than the official exchange rate on Friday.

The cost of the bi-currency basket has grown by 12.5 kopecks and reached 41.91 rubles.

Besides, it is said that oil price has dropped.

May contracts for Brent oil have fallen by $0.19 (-0.18%) and reached $107.27 per barrel. On Thursday these contracts’ costs have dropped by $0.52 (-0.48%) and were equal to $107.46 per barrel. WTI oil for May has become cheaper by $0.32 (-0.31%) and is $103.08 per barrel. The day before these contracts fell by $0.2 (-0.19%) and their cost was $103.4 per barrel.

Many experts believe that oil prices are the best leverage for exerting pressure on Putin amid the crisis in Ukraine. In particular, it had been stated by an American financier George Soros. As said by the billionaire, it could cause a fall in oil prices, and a price of at least $100 per barrel is necessary for a balanced state budget of Russia.