RTS Index gains 16 points as oil and Polyus lead

The RTS Index closed at 914 points on October 16, 2026, up 16 points or 1.8 percent. Russian shares rose as Brent exceeded USD 107 and geopolitical comments supported sentiment, Interfax reported.

Polyus rose 6.0 percent, while VK gained 4.1 percent and Novatek added 4.0 percent. The three stocks ranked among the strongest index constituents during the Moscow Exchange session, Interfax said.

Why did the RTS Index rise today?

The move followed statements by U.S. President Donald Trump about the Ukraine conflict and expectations for Russian diesel exports to the United States. Brent futures exceeded USD 107, supporting the broader market backdrop. The dollar's official rate for October 17 through October 19 was set at 83.6177 rubles, TASS reported.

RTS Index gains extend the weekly rebound

The RTS Index recovered after Thursday's 1.2 percent decline. The index and the broader Russian equity market also posted weekly gains, with Interfax placing the weekly increase for the two main benchmarks between 4.5 percent and 6.1 percent. Brent remained above USD 100, while oil and geopolitical developments continued to guide sector rotation, Interfax reported.

What comes next for RTS Index

The next major scheduled event is the Bank of Russia's October 23, 2026, key-rate meeting. Analysts surveyed by RBC mostly expect the central bank to keep its key rate at 14 percent.

RTS Index price data for October 16, 2026

The RTS Index closed at 914 points on October 16, 2026, according to Interfax. It gained 16 points, or 1.8 percent, from the October 15 close of 897.68 points.

More market reports and analysis on the RTS Index