Shares in Russian search engine Yandex had a rollercoaster first day on the Moscow stock exchange, rising in early trading to exceed the company's New York share price by 36 percent before dropping back 25 percent by the day's end.
After 35 minutes of trading in Moscow on Wednesday, shares in the company — whose 60 percent share in Russia's search engine market blows Google's 27 percent out of the water — were worth 1,549 rubles ($44), according to Vedomosti, while on the Nasdaq exchange in New York they had ended the previous day's trading at $32.4 each.
By the close of the Moscow Exchange, however, the share price had fallen to 1,250 rubles ($35.7) — 25 percent down, but still above the $33 share price on the Nasdaq at 8 p.m. Moscow time. Yandex raised $1.4 billion at its initial public offering in New York three years ago, and the company has said that the Moscow flotation will open up new sources of domestic funding. Analysts have also suggested that with its Moscow float, the company is aiming to insure itself against political risks by showing loyalty at a time when Russian Internet companies are coming under increasing state regulation.
See also:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.