Many events due in Russia in 2004, affecting its share market

In 2004 many events will happen in Russia, telling on its share market, Troika Dialog Co. president Pavel Teplukhin said at the Thursday RIA Novosti press conference.

"The next year will be eventful and these events will greatly impact the share market. Above all it will be the presidential election", he said.

In this connection, changes will happen in much of the executive branch of power, said Teplukhin.

After Moody's giving Russia an investment rating, investors expect two other international agencies - Fitch and Standard&Roor's - to follow suit, he continued.

In the opinion of the expert, the share market will also be affected by Russia's expected entry into the World Trade Organisation, the expected unfolding of the public pension accumulations market, planned consolidation of the internal and external markets of Gazprom shares, emergence of a new kind of assets - real estate funds.