The main events by the morning: April 19

• At night, Israel launched a retaliatory attack on Iran. The attack was limited and carried out with the help of drones, without the use of missiles. Local authorities have temporarily banned flights over Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz. The markets reacted to the events: the price of Brent oil rose above $90, futures for the S&P index fell below 5,000 points, the price of gold exceeded $2,414 per ounce.

• The volume of Russian exports in the first quarter decreased by 10% compared to last year. This may be caused by both an increase in the discount on Urals oil and a change in the structure of exports. This trend may negatively affect the financial performance of oil companies in the first quarter and slow down market growth.

• The capitalization of MTS Bank after the IPO is expected to amount to 80-85 billion rubles. After the capital increase, the price range for shares can range from 2,300 to 2,450 rubles. Institutional investors are putting pressure on the bank to lower the initial offering price, considering the current valuation too high. However, experts suggest that MTS-bank will not change the terms of the placement.

• Belgium has resumed diamond imports from Russia for the first time in three months. In February, it purchased 25 kilograms of industrial diamonds worth 187 thousand euros. Since the beginning of 2024, a ban on the import of non-industrial diamonds has come into force. In March, the Antwerp Prosecutor's office launched an investigation into the possible illegal import of stones in circumvention of sanctions.

• The United States has blocked a project to admit Palestine to the UN. At the vote in the UN Security Council, 12 members, including Russia and China, voted in favor, Switzerland and the United Kingdom abstained. Thus, only the United States voted «against».