The benchmark MOEX stock index was down 1.4% at 2,542.6 points after hitting a peak of 2,761.17 points yesterday. The dollar-denominated RTS index was down 2.4% to 832.1 points.
Before yesterday's restart, stocks had not traded on Moscow's bourse since February 25, the day after Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into neighbouring Ukraine This prompted Western sanctions aimed at isolating Russia economically and then Russian countermeasures.33 blue chips had traded on the Moscow Exchange yesterday, with restrictions on trade with foreigners and a ban on short selling.
Commodities stocks had led yesterday's rebound with double-digit growth, but moves were smaller today.With most European airspace closed to Russian planes, flagship carrier Aeroflot extended its slide lower, dropping around 9.3%.The rouble on Wednesday hit its strongest level in three weeks at 94.9875 after Putin said Russia would start selling its gas to"unfriendly" countries in roubles.
Against the euro, the rouble was up 0.4% at 106.40, far from both an all-time low of 132.4 it hit earlier in March and from levels of around 90 seen before February 24.