Russian shares declined at the close of trade on Wednesday, as losses in the power, mining and manufacturing sectors outweighed gains in select blue-chip stocks.
The MOEX Russia Index slipped 0.34% to end the session lower, reflecting a broader pullback in domestic equities. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners 158 to 80, with 17 stocks unchanged, according to exchange data.
Energy and utilities led the declines, with power producer Rosseti PJSC down 1.63% to 0.05 at the close. In contrast, Federal Hydro Generating Company RusHydro PJSC advanced 3.70% to 0.36, while Norilsk Nickel rose 2.91% to 129.30. Steel producer Novolipetsk Steel also gained 2.80% to 71.30.
The Russian Volatility Index, which tracks implied volatility for MOEX Russia Index options, fell 9.52% to 41.52, signaling reduced near-term uncertainty. The U.S. Dollar Index futures edged 0.11% lower to 99.53.
Commodities showed mixed performance, with gold futures up 0.86% to $4,434.30 per troy ounce and October crude oil futures rising 0.45% to $90.63 per barrel. Brent crude for November delivery climbed 0.07% to $95.32. The USD/RUB and EUR/RUB exchange rates held steady at 87.65 and 101.06, respectively.
