The Moscow Stock Exchange and RTS were down 0.3% at the start of main trading.

The Moscow Stock Exchange and RTS were down 0.3% at the start of main trading.

The Russian stock market at the beginning of trading of the main session on the Moscow Stock Exchange on Thursday was slightly lower due to selective profit taking by players; The general mood remains positive after upbeat geopolitical news on the Ukrainian settlement; It was also supported by the rise in oil prices (December Brent futures once again exceeded $111 per barrel) and Rostat data on the slowdown in inflation.