RTS Index Closes at 973.22 Points After 1.12% Decline
Published on 10/29/2026 at 23:00 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSRTS Index ends Thursday lower
- The RTS Index closed the main Moscow trading session on October 29 at 973.22 points, down 1.12 percent.
- Profit-taking, weaker oil prices and a lack of fresh geopolitical news weighed on Russian equities.
- Investors are awaiting renewed Ukraine-related negotiations in November and further economic data.
The RTS Index finished the main Moscow trading session on Thursday, October 29, at 973.22 points, down 1.12 percent. The dollar-denominated benchmark retreated alongside the broader Russian equity market after a run of gains and failed to hold its recent higher levels.
The Moscow Exchange identifies the RTS Index as a capitalization-weighted benchmark based on liquid Russian stocks. The reported level refers to the main session on October 29, rather than to an earlier intraday quote.
Profit-taking ends four-day advance
According to Vedomosti, investors took profits amid a lack of new geopolitical developments and falling oil prices. The publication also cited market expert Andrei Smirnov, who pointed to stretched valuations in a number of shares. The ruble-denominated MOEX Russia Index fell 1.35 percent to 2,492.38 points during the same main session.
Sector performance was uneven. Shares of Moscow Exchange, Ozon, X5, preferred Tatneft and Surgutneftegas were among the gainers listed by Vedomosti. Polyus, Alrosa, BT?-Gold, Novatek and Rusagro were among the decliners. The breadth of the move therefore reflected pressure in several large commodity and industrial names, even as selected companies advanced.
Oil and geopolitics remain key variables
Interfax described the decline as a correction driven by profit-taking, lower oil prices and the absence of new optimistic geopolitical signals ahead of a possible resumption of Ukraine-settlement talks in November. The report said the December Brent futures contract moved toward 113.7 US dollars per barrel during the session.
For investors, the session highlighted the RTS Index's sensitivity to both the ruble and commodity-market expectations. Vedomosti also reported that global markets faced selling pressure, while uncertainty about energy prices and geopolitical developments remained relevant to sentiment. The next direction will depend in part on incoming macroeconomic data and whether hopes for renewed negotiations produce fresh signals.
Further RTS Index coverage is available on the RTS Index topic page.
