Russian stocks saw a significant surge of 6.6% at the Moscow Exchange following a phone call between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. This surge was observed as the trading day opened on February 13, 2025. The market rally was driven by renewed optimism in geopolitics, as noted by experts in the financial sector.

The Moscow Exchange, known as MOEX, witnessed a remarkable increase in the first minute of trading, with both the RTS and MOEX indices climbing 6.6% from the previous day’s closing figures. Subsequently, the MOEX index reached 3,224.38 points, while the RTS index stood at 1,080.03. As the morning progressed, the MOEX index settled at 3,148.14 points, and the RTS index at 1,057.31.

Reports from Kommersant indicated that the total market capitalization of Russian stocks, measured by the MOEX index, surged to 7.05 trillion rubles ($82.9 billion) by 9:00 a.m. This represented an increase of 0.5 trillion rubles ($5.5 billion) compared to the previous trading day. Notable Russian companies experienced substantial gains, with Novatek leading at a 9.6% increase, followed by Gazprom at 8.4%, Rostelecom at 8.2%, Aeroflot and Rosneft at 8.2% and 7.6% respectively, and Sberbank and Lukoil at 7.5% and 6.9% each.

Simultaneously, the U.S. dollar depreciated to 89 rubles on the Forex market, marking its lowest value since September 2024. Financial experts such as Ekaterina Krylova, from the PSB Analytics and Expertise Center, and Yaroslav Kabakov, the strategy director at Finam, attributed the market rally to the positive outcomes expected from the Putin-Trump conversation.

Krylova highlighted the resurgence of “geopolitical optimism” following the leaders’ discussion, while Kabakov emphasized the potential for a peaceful resolution in Ukraine. This sentiment has bolstered investor confidence, particularly in export-oriented companies, as analysts foresee opportunities for international transactions to resume, which is crucial for the market’s stability and growth.

In conclusion, the Moscow Exchange experienced a notable surge in Russian stock prices, reflecting the positive market sentiment driven by the Putin-Trump call and the anticipated geopolitical developments that could positively impact the economy. This rally underscores the interplay between political events and financial markets, emphasizing the importance of global relations in shaping investment trends and market dynamics.