Last week the Russian equity market continued to rise, as did the broader emerging markets (EM). The RTS and MSCI EM indices rose by 0.4% each. Trading was subdued as investors awaited the G20 summit and the latest OPEC+ meeting.
The oil & gas sector outperformed the market. This was mainly due to Gazprom, whose share price rose by 1.6%, and Surgutneftegas, whose preferred shares increased by 3.4%, both figures in rouble terms. It looks like expectations about future high dividends from Gazprom continue to support the stock. Surgutneftegas approved a dividend of RUB 7.62 per preferred share, which equates to a dividend yield of 17.8%.
The metals & mining sector was the worst performer of the week. It was dragged down mainly by Novolipetsk steel and Alrosa. V. Lisin, the controlling shareholder in Novolipetsk Steel, sold a 2.6% stake through ABB. Following the placement, shares fell by 5.81% on the day. Alrosa’s management said its sales this year could be below target. According to E. Agureev, a director of Alrosa’s United Selling Organisation, the company’s goal is to get back to normal market conditions rather than to maximise sales at any cost.
Russia and Saudi Arabia agreed to extend oil production cuts. The only uncertainty left is the time period over which the cuts will be made. The OPEC+ group’s agreement can be extended for six or nine months, with the volume of production cuts remaining unchanged. The details should be finalised at the OPEC+ meeting this week.
The European human rights organisation, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has invited Russia back to its membership. In 2014, Russia was stripped of its voting rights following the Crimea referendum. In 2016, no new delegation from Russia was appointed at all, the same sanctions still being in force. PACE, concerned that Russia would refuse to pay its contributions, gradually made concessions until finally announcing that Russia’s membership would be restored. Votes in favour of Russia’s reinstatement came from Germany, France, Italy, Belgium and the Nordic countries. Last week, the Russian delegation got to vote for a new Council of Europe secretary general.
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The next OPEC+ meeting takes place on 1-2 July.