Mystery investor's Gazprom sale amid Putin-Trump talks
An unknown investor sold a package of Gazprom shares worth approximately 12 million roubles (around 132,000 euros) on the Moscow Stock Exchange during phone negotiations between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Russian stock exchange plunged into the red, and the rouble is also losing value.
The enigmatic investor began selling shares about an hour after the conversation between the leaders began, according to the Moscow Times. In less than a minute, they disposed of a package worth around 7 million roubles (around 77,000 euros), causing a temporary drop in Gazprom's stock by 3.3 per cent – from 173.1 to 167.5 roubles (1,9 to 1,84 euros) per share. Soon after, the price returned to 172.1 roubles (1,89 euros).
A similar situation occurred fifteen minutes after the negotiations concluded. Another sale of shares by the Russian gas giant, this time worth about 5 million roubles (about 55,000 euros) caused a momentary drop in the trades by 2.6 per cent – from 173.5 to 169 roubles (1,91 - 1,86 euros) per share.
Results of the talks and market reaction
After the talks ended, the Kremlin reported that Russia agreed to mutually cease attacks on energy facilities. However, the Russian authorities emphasised that for a complete ceasefire, as proposed by Trump, it is necessary to "complete cessation of foreign military aid," as well as stop the mobilisation and rearming of Ukrainian armed forces, as reported by the Kyiv Indepndent.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated shortly after the negotiations that his country supports a 30-day cessation of attacks on energy infrastructure. However, he added that "despite declarations of peace, Putin is preparing offensive actions in the Zaporizhzhia direction, in the east, as well as in the Kharkiv and Sumy directions, to issue an ultimatum from a position of strength."
Russian stock exchange loses, rouble declines
Following the talks between the leaders of Russia and the USA, stocks on the Moscow Stock Exchange began to lose value. At 8:31 PM Greenwich Time, Gazprom's shares dropped by 2.54 per cent, VTB by 2.6 per cent, Rosneft by 0.8 per cent, Sberbank by 0.5 per cent, Norilsk Nickel by 1.5 per cent, and Rostelecom lost 1.6 per cent.
On Wednesday, the Russian stock market MOEX is experiencing significant declines. Most companies listed on the Moscow exchange are losing value, with the deepest falls recorded by KubanEnergy (-5.47 per cent), Kazan Syntheses (-1.70 per cent), and Rusolovo Pao (-1.65 per cent). Significant companies like Alrosa (-1.58 per cent), Gazprom (-0.86 per cent), and Rosneft (-0.77 per cent) are also posting losses. In total, more than 40 companies are in the red, while only a dozen entities show gains, including Rosseti Sibir' (4.12 per cent) and RKK Energiya (5.03 per cent). The declines affect almost all sectors of the economy, with particular emphasis on energy, metallurgy, and the financial sector.
The rouble also experienced a change in its exchange rate. The Russian currency is losing over 1 percent against the dollar on Thursday, reversing Wednesday's trend when the rouble was strongly gaining – the change in value against the dollar exceeded 2.5 percent.
