Vladimir Putin's address to the Federal Assembly had a positive impact on the Russian stock market, which, despite falling in anticipation of the President's speech, turned to growth during the event. This is evidenced by trading data.
The Moscow Exchange Index at 13:10 Moscow time increased by 1.5% and amounted to 2216.28 points, the RTS index – by 1.42% and 934.55 points. Among the "blue chips" – the most liquid and stable companies on the Russian stock market – the growth leader was Sberbank, whose securities rose by 2.99% to 164.87 rubles per share. Positive for Sberbank, among other things, was the statement of the head of the state bank German Gref, who announced a possible return to the payment of dividends in 2023.
In second place in terms of growth from the index were the shares of "Yandex": they grew by 2.52% and amounted to 2007.4 rubles per share. The third place belongs to the Tinkoff group, whose securities grew by 2.36% to 2,535 rubles per share. Shares of Magnit rose by 2.33% to 4586 rubles, MTS – by 2.11%, to 251.9 rubles per share. Of the broader market, shares of gold mining company Polymetal rose the most, climbing 4.64% to 491.8 rubles.
The exchange rate of the ruble also stabilized against the backdrop of the President's speech. At the beginning of trading on February 21, the Russian currency fell to the levels of 75.14 rubles per dollar and 80.14 per euro. At 13:18 Moscow time on the Moscow Exchange they gave 79.65 rubles for one euro and 74.79 for a US dollar.
