Experts on Russian stock market - 20 September, 2004

The Russian stock market is ready to grow but recent statements about a halt in oil exports to China made by YUKOS' management increased the uncertainty and this may bring to naught the positive mood on the market, a trader told RBC. The Kremlin will hardly enjoy such statements and YUKOS' chances to settle the conflict in a peaceful way are decreasing, he said.

According to another trader, the market is unlikely to change seriously today. There are participants who want to continue buying but there are those who want to fix their profits after Friday's growth, he pointed out. Commenting on the situation with YUKOS, the trader was skeptical about a positive settlement of the conflict for the company. "Most probably, Yuganskneftegaz [YUKOS' main oil producing subsidiary] will be sold," he said.