Emerging
May 26, 20261
MOEX Index Falls to New Annual Low as Russian Stocks End Lower
Russian stocks ended Tuesday’s session lower, with the MOEX Index dropping to a new annual low before trimming losses. Analysts pointed to geopolitical tensions and market uncertainty, while individual shares moved on company-specific news such as NCSP’s dividend announcement and weakness in UGC.
Quick Facts
- Russian stock indices closed lower
- MOEX Index hit a new annual low
- NCSP shares rose after dividend announcement
- UGC shares fell sharply
- Analysts issued short-term market forecasts
Russian equities closed lower on Tuesday, with the benchmark MOEX Index down 0.69% to 2,580.25 points and the RTS Index off 0.86% at 1,134.17 points at the end of the main trading session on the Moscow Exchange. The yuan also weakened, falling 13.8 kopecks to 10.469 rubles.
Market analysts said sentiment remained pressured by geopolitical tensions. One analyst described geopolitics as the main factor weighing on the market, noting that the MOEX Index briefly touched a new annual low of 2,573 points before recovering some losses, but not enough to return above the 2,600-point level.
Among individual stocks, NCSP shares rose 3.8% after the company’s board of directors announced dividends for 2025. At the other end of the market, UGC shares fell 10.1%, which one analyst said may have been influenced by the unsuccessful auction for the sale of the company’s state-owned shares.
Several brokerages offered near-term forecasts for Wednesday trading, with expectations for the MOEX Index to move in a range around 2,550-2,650 points and for the dollar, euro and yuan to trade in broadly stable bands against the ruble. The market commentary also cited higher oil prices, which were approaching $100 a barrel after U.S. strikes on Iranian targets, as part of the broader backdrop.
Why This Matters
For investors with exposure to Russian equities or ruble-linked assets, the session signals that geopolitics remains the dominant near-term driver, overriding company fundamentals in much of the market. The MOEX Index’s break to a new annual low and broker forecasts for a tight trading range suggest continued volatility but limited immediate upside, making risk management, liquidity planning, and currency monitoring especially important. Company-specific events still matter: dividend announcements can support selected names, while weak auction outcomes or ownership news can trigger sharp declines.
Timeline & Sources
May 26, 2026
WireTASS reported that Russian stock indices closed lower, with the MOEX Index falling 0.69% and touching a new annual low during the session.
May 26, 2026
WireAnalysts cited geopolitical tensions as the main factor weighing on sentiment and pointed to higher oil prices after U.S. attacks on Iranian targets.
May 26, 2026
WireNCSP shares rose after the company announced dividends for 2025, while UGC shares fell after an unsuccessful auction for state-owned shares.
May 27, 2026
WireBrokerages projected the MOEX Index and major currencies would trade within near-term forecast ranges.