Russian markets -- Factors to Watch on July 15

MOSCOW, July 15 (Reuters) - Here are events and news stories that could move
Russian markets today.

You can reach us on: +7 495 775 1242

STOCKS CALL (Contributions to moscow.newsroom@reuters.com):

Chris Weafer, Uralsib: The only themes likely to rise today will against be
that troika of coal, steel and fertilizer companies.

Aton-Line - As Asian markets fall and leading U.S. index futures point down,
Russia's more liquid shares could fall around 1 percent. Banking shares will
feel the strongest pressure.

EVENTS [RU-DIA] (All times GMT):

MOSCOW - Foreign ambassadors to meet Russian President Dmitry Medvedev

ROSTOV, Russia - Prime Minister Vladimir Putin holds a hearing on water

MOSCOW - The government is expected to receive estimates on the cost of
pumping crude through a new pipeline to China

MOSCOW - Italian President Giorgio Napolitano meets with Russian Orthodox
Patriarch Alexiy II (1200 GMT)

MOSCOW - Metals companies including UC RUSAL, Novolipetsk Steel, Evraz
(HK1q.L) and Magnitogorsk (MAGN.MM)

IN THE PAPERS [PRESS/RU]:

X5 Retail Group has applied to the antimonopoly agency for permission to buy
a Nakhodka, a St Petersburg neighbourhood food store chain, Vedomosti writes.

TOP STORIES IN RUSSIA AND THE CIS [RU-NEWS]:
TOP NEWS:
Board war blocks TNK-BP dividend, investment [ID:nL14614807]
Kazakhmys says in talks, sources peg Metalloinvest [ID:nL1454834]

COMPANIES/MARKETS:
Russia's Mechel says Q1 net soars to $500 mln [ID:nL14214412]
Russian bank VTB sells Alrosa stake for $369 mln [ID:nL14730998]

ECONOMY/POLITICS:
Saudi, Russia have mutual understanding on oil-Bandar [ID:nL4245543]
Russian navy says resumes Arctic warship patrols [ID:nL1478323]
Russia July inflation seen at 0.4-0.6 pct - Ifax [ID:nL1475160]
Medvedev approves Russia state asset consolidation [ID:nL14632291]

ENERGY:
Russia says Czech oil supply cut "not political" [ID:nL14516168]

COMMODITIES:
Russia's VSMPO, Airbus sign $4 bln titanium deal [ID:nL1467119]
Sinkhole may cut Russian potash supply again [ID:nL14637630]

MARKETS CLOSE/LATEST:

RTS 2,208.06 +1.89 pct

MSCI Russia .MIRU00000PUS 1,411.77 +2.28 pct

MSCI Emerging Markets .MSCIEF 1,028.60 -1.41 pct

Russia 30-year EurobondRU011428878= yield: 5.586/5.552 pct

EMBI+ Russia 11EMJ 179 basis points over

Rouble/dollar RUBUTSTN=MCX 23.1900

Rouble/euro EURRUBTN=MCX 36.8000

NYMEX crude CLc1 $145.15 -$0.03

ICE Brent crude LCOc1 $143.95 +$0.03

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