Russian equity market dynamics
Last week, the Russian equity market outperformed the broader emerging market (EM) index by 4.2%.
This was due to both a Russia-specific factor, and the difference in the two indices’ sector structures.
- Russia-specific factor: Investors reacted positively to the Central Bank of Russia’s key rate increase of 100bp a week earlier. This suggests that accelerated inflation is likely to be under control. Investor optimism was supported by the fact that weekly inflation in Russia has been at near-zero levels over the past two weeks. The CBR’s chair, Elvira Nabiullina, noted that there is a possibility the regulator will not further increase the key rate at its upcoming meetings
- Sector-specific factor: Additional support came from the overweighs in the materials and energy sectors, which outperformed the broader emerging markets.
Main Russian news
Russia’s key macroeconomic indicators improved in June. Industrial production increased on an annualised basis in both the manufacturing and extraction segments. Retail sales also strengthened in both the food and non-food segments, but by less than in May when there was a low base due to Covid-related lockdowns 12 months earlier. Rosstat published real wage growth data for April, which showed an increase of 3.3% YoY.
Russia’s GDP in H1 of 2020 rose by 4.6% YoY. According to the Ministry of Economic Development, in June GDP regained its pre-pandemic level, rising by 8.5% YoY. The main the driver was domestic demand. The ministry also raised its GDP growth forecast for 2021to 3.8% from 2.9%. The forecasts for 2022 and 2023 remain at 3.2% and 3%, respectively.
To watch…
Rosstat is due to publish inflation figures for July later this week.
Author: Marina Tsutskiridze, Investment Specialist
Sources: Rosstat, Bloomberg, TKB Investment Partners (JSC); August 2021