Mosbirzhi Index: Bracing for a Volatile Session

following a struggle to maintain gains above 2880 points on Monday, the Mosbirzhi index closed down by 1% at 2811 points. trading volumes were notably lower than the three-month average, signaling a cautious approach from investors. TodayS session is expected to remain within the 2780-2850 point range, with analysts hoping the index can hold above the 2800 mark.

The market’s subdued performance reflects a broader unease, particularly given the current geopolitical climate.Any unexpected developments could trigger further volatility.

Individual Stocks Shine Amidst Market Hesitation

Despite the overall market’s lackluster performance, several individual stocks demonstrated significant gains, driven by company-specific news and sector trends.

Top Performers

• Segezha (+10.81%): The forestry company benefited from the announcement of a debt restructuring scheme, as confirmed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.
• Wusha (+2.53%): The stock is showing strength due to the start of it’s peak season.
• Cyan (+2.31%): Recovering after a significant drawdown, Cyan is attracting renewed investor interest.
• LSR (+1.44%): The real estate developer saw modest gains.
• X5 Retail Group (+0.8%): The retail giant edged slightly higher.

Novatek’s shares experienced a slight increase following a neutral operating results report for Q1 2025. Optimism was fueled by the updated energy strategy of the Russian Federation, which indicates that three of the company’s projects are slated for launch by 2030.

Stocks Under Pressure: Dividend Policy and Financial Concerns

Several blue-chip stocks faced downward pressure, impacted by revised corporate strategies and financial outlooks.

Notable Declines

• Rostelecom (-5.82%): A revised dividend policy for 2024-2026, while maintaining a payout ratio of at least 50% of net profit, removed guarantees of minimum dividends or annual growth. This change negatively impacted investor sentiment, especially considering potential financial pressures from high interest rates.
• Gordsky (-3.5%): The stock experienced a notable decline.
• M.Video (-3.25%): Shares of the electronics retailer also faced selling pressure.
• AFC Sistema (-2.92%): The investment conglomerate saw a decrease in its stock value.
• PIK Group (-1.6%): Weaker-than-expected reporting for 2024 contributed to a decline in the developer’s stock price.

Other major stocks experiencing losses included VTB (-1.62%), Sberbank (-1.09%), Lukoil (-0.52%), and Gazprom (-0.44%).

Analyst Recommendations: stocks to Watch

Despite the prevailing market uncertainty, analysts are highlighting specific stocks with promising potential.These include:

• HeadHunter
• YUGK
• Yandex
• X5 Retail Group