OREANDA-NEWS. The Moscow Exchange Index fell 4.1% to 2236.1 points as of 10:06 Moscow time, according to trading data. The RTS index fell 5.8% to 870.25 points. Demand for Russian stocks is falling following a fall in global stock indices and cheaper oil. The price of Brent gloom oil fell 2.9%, to $ 26.2 per barrel.

Governments around the world have stepped up restrictive measures to halt the global spread of coronavirus. The decline in economic activity lowered the demand for raw materials. As a result, oil futures quotes fall for the fourth consecutive week. Since the beginning of the year, the price of Brent oil has fallen by more than 60%.

The leaders of the decline at the start of trading were shares of Bashneft (-9.9%), Aeroflot (-6%), Rosneft (-5%) and Tatneft (-5%). TCS Group shares fell 6.5%. Polymetal securities (+2%) and preferred shares of Surgutneftegaz (+1%) increased. The largest decline in prices during the day can be observed in the shares of oil companies, primarily in Rosneft, whose papers soared over the past two days by 20%, the analyst said.