MOSCOW, December 29 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian Trading System (RTS) index, which is the benchmark index of Russia's stock market, rose Friday to 1,921.92 points - a new record high.
The previous record was registered during the close of the trading session December 28, when it hit 1,910.28 points.
The RTS index, which has an initial value of 100 points, was launched September 1, 1995.
The RTS index registered its lowest level October 2, 1998, following a default announced by the Russian government on the country's sovereign obligations and the devaluation of the national currency.
Experts attribute the current Russian share market rally to high demand for shares of Russia's state-run retail savings bank, Sberbank, and to investor optimism during the pre-holiday season.
